DEFENCE

War Memorials

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to protect war memorials in buildings being redeveloped.

Don Touhig: Where a building is to be redeveloped, any war memorial is considered as part of the planning process.
	We work closely with regimental associations and other interested parties to ensure that memorials in buildings being redeveloped are either incorporated within the refurbished building or moved to a suitable new location.
	If the memorial is within a listed building, or is itself listed, the local authority must be approached for listed building consent prior to removal and appropriate re-siting.

Procurement

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote more efficient procurement by his Department.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence published its Defence Industrial Strategy in December 2005. This gives greater transparency to future UK defence requirements and sets out the industrial capabilities which need to be retained in the UK to meet those requirements. In doing so, it recognises that both MOD and industry will need jointly to develop and change their acquisition behaviours to adopt a through life perspective.

Trident

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of Trident.

John Reid: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert).

Trident

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department have made of the recent Matrix Chambers legal opinion that replacement of the Trident nuclear deterrent breaches Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

John Reid: holding answer 16 February 2006
	I am content that the current nuclear deterrent meets the Government's legal obligations. The Government will ensure that any decisions taken on a replacement for our current nuclear deterrent system will also be fully consistent with our international legal obligations, including those under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iraq

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British troop levels in Iraq.

John Reid: The posture and level of United Kingdom forces in Iraq is kept under regular review. The next major routine roulement of regular UK forces is due to take place during April and May this year.

Iraq

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost to the UK of training Iraqi military and security personnel in Iraq and Jordan was up to December 2005.

Adam Ingram: Between November 2003 and December 2005 the cross-Government Conflict Prevention Pools contributed over £30 million towards the training and equipping of the Iraqi Security Forces. It is not possible to collate the cost of the UK forces programme of training the Iraqi army because MOD identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred, not the individual tasks associated with operations.

Iraq

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint air strikes have been made by Royal Air Force and US forces against insurgents in Iraq; how many such strikes the RAF has been involved in; how many aircraft were used; which munitions were used in the strikes; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Ordnance has been dropped by RAF aircraft on two occasions since the end of the war-fighting phase. One precision-guided munition was used on each occasion.

Veterans

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Department is taking to recognise further the contribution of armed forces veterans.

Don Touhig: I have written to all MPs announcing that a Veterans Day will take place on 27 June 2006 and we will be marking that date as Veterans Day in future years. It is important that the nation should have an opportunity each year to recognise the contribution that veterans have made and that they continue to make to our life in the UK today. It will be a day to focus on veterans of all ages, raising public awareness of their achievements and celebrating these. The day will also be an appropriate occasion to celebrate the service given by those currently serving in the armed forces.
	In addition, we will use the opportunity to publicise the support and advice available to veterans from official and voluntary sources and the role of ex-service organisations.

Victoria Cross

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross.

Don Touhig: The 150th anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross will be commemorated by a service at Westminster Abbey on 26 June followed by a reception in St. James's Square, both hosted by the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. The Ministry of Defence is funding the service, helping with the planning and providing musicians for the service and the reception. On 27 June the Trustees of the Imperial War Museum will host a private lunch for holders of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross at the Museum.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) legal regime and (b) rules of engagement govern the activities of United Kingdom armed forces in Afghanistan as part of (i) the international security assistance force and (ii) Operation Enduring Freedom; and whether these will change in respect of the forthcoming Allied Rapid Reaction Corps deployment.

John Reid: British troops in Afghanistan are deployed primarily under the international security assistance force (ISAF). ISAF operates at the request of the Afghan Government and with the authorisation of the United Nations. The latest Security Council resolution on the ISAF (UNSCR 1623) was agreed on 13 September 2005, and will remain in force until October 2006. UK troops deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) operate in Afghanistan with the consent of the Afghan Government.
	UK troops in Afghanistan, whether under ISAF or OEF, will continue to act under UK rules of engagement (ROE), which ensure that UK military actions are consistent with UK law. However, as has been the practice of successive Governments, I am unable to comment in detail on the ROE under which our armed forces operate.
	The deployment of the HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in command of the ISAF will not change the legal basis for UK forces in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures UK armed forces are taking to protect (a) sites and (b) artefacts of archaeological or historical value in Helmand province.

Adam Ingram: The role of British troops deployed as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Helmand is to support the Afghan Government as it extends its authority across the entire country and to assist its national security forces to maintain security. Responsibility for protection of sites and artefacts of archaeological or historical value lies primarily with the Government of Afghanistan. However, UK troops will show the utmost respect for local people, customs and Afghanistan's culture.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department is giving to non-governmental organisations in (a) Nimrooz, (b) Farah, (c) Ghor, (d) Orunzgan, (e) Kandahar and (f) Helmand province.

Adam Ingram: A key role of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan is to provide a stable security environment to facilitate development and reconstruction work done by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others. The UK will deploy the HQ Group of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps to lead the ISAF for a period of nine months from May 2006. British troops deploying to Helmand will support a UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team, which will help enable NGOs to operate in that province.
	The Ministry of Defence also supports a number of NGOs operating across Afghanistan through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, which is jointly funded and administered with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the unrest in Afghanistan on 4 and 5 February on the security situation there; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The unrest that occurred between 4 and 5 February in Helmand province will have little impact on the overall security situation in Afghanistan.
	The incident initially gave cause for concern due to the significant numbers of insurgents and tribesmen involved in what is assessed to be a well planned and executed operation. However, the response by Afghan Security Forces against a determined and well organised enemy, with minimal coalition support, clearly demonstrates the increasing capability of the ANA and ANP.

Afghanistan

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 817W on Afghanistan, how the expected breach of Harmony guidelines caused by the planned deployment to Afghanistan will be managed.

Adam Ingram: Harmony guidelines are measured by average Tour Intervals for units and personnel. Breaches are managed in a number of ways, including through tailoring of force packages to achieve objectives in the most efficient way possible, and sensitive posting and deployment of personnel. Pressure is further alleviated through contributions made by other Allies, which we continue to encourage through the NATO force generation process, and through eventual reductions in UK force commitments elsewhere. Over the longer-term, programmes such as the Future Army Structure will help to bring Tour Intervals in line with Harmony guidelines.

Afghanistan

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the threat posed by the infiltration of insurgents from (a) Iraq and (b) Iran into Helmand province in Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: I cannot comment on threat specific assessments for reasons of operational security.
	However, I am not aware of any credible evidence to suggest that insurgents or their techniques and procedures have infiltrated Helmand Province from Iraq or Iran. Helmand does not share a border with either country, but the armed forces of Pakistan have made extensive efforts, at considerable loss of life, to improve the rule of law along their border with Afghanistan. Iran has stated that it supports the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan and the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan and international community to build stability and security. We welcome this commitment.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what activities the International Security Assistance Force will undertake in Afghanistan falling within the definition of providing support to Afghan counter-narcotics forces operations that are not related to (a) the destruction of poppy fields and (b) pre-planned direct military action against the drugs trade.

Adam Ingram: Under the terms of NATO's Operational Plan, ISAF troops can support Afghan counter-narcotics forces and operations in a number of ways, including by training Afghan forces, sharing information on the opium trade, supporting the counter-narcotics information campaign, and providing enabling support for Afghan counter-narcotics efforts. ISAF will also help provide the security environment in which the rule of law can be applied, traffickers can be effectively targeted by Afghan forces and a diversified economy capable of providing sustainable legal rural livelihoods for the farmers can be developed.

Aircraft Landing Rights

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requirement there is on operators of foreign registered aircraft to indicate to United Kingdom authorities the purpose of the flight for an aircraft seeking landing rights at a UK military airport.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 December 2005
	There is no requirement for the operator of an aircraft seeking landing rights at a UK military airport to indicate the purposes of the flight.

Armed Forces Personnel (Health Assessment)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force make of the mental health of personnel prior to deployment; and how such assessments are made.

Don Touhig: Personnel known to be suffering from an existing mental health condition are assessed on a case-by-case basis and medically downgraded if necessary. This assessment is made with input from appropriate health professionals, including a Consultant Psychiatrist where necessary. Even those personnel who have been medically downgraded may be fit for deployment on some operations. An assessment of such personnel will be undertaken prior to any decision to deploy them. In making a decision as to the deployability of Service personnel already known to be suffering from a mental health condition, all relevant factors will be taken into account including the severity of the symptoms, the location and duration of the deployment and the nature of the duties to be carried out. Personnel who have not been medically downgraded are, by definition, fit for operational deployment.
	No specific, formal mental health assessment of personnel is undertaken prior to deployment. However, line managers and commanding officers will routinely monitor their Servicemen and women looking for indications of a mental health condition and whether they would therefore need to be referred for medical opinion.
	Personnel receive briefings before they are deployed to prepare them for dealing with potentially stressful operational situations. Once in theatre, they have access to trained mental health staff, and on their return from theatre they receive a post-deployment briefing which includes leaflets and a presentation covering stress reactions.

Armoured Vehicles

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the requirement for the (a) Casspir and (b) South African manufactured Buffalo armoured vehicles for use in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Adam Ingram: We assess that neither the Casspir, manufactured by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa—OMC, nor the Buffel, manufactured by the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, meet our requirements for use in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Army

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what total number of soldiers the British Army was under establishment in each year since 1997.

Don Touhig: The number of Trained Regular Army and FTRS (Full Time Reserve Service) Soldiers compared to trained requirement in the British Army in each year since 1997 is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Soldiers 1 April 1997 1 April 1998 1 April 1999 1 April 2000 1 April 2001 
		
		
			 Trained Requirement 90,680 89,980 89,570 89,900 90,400 
			 UK Regulars 85,030 84,740 83,610 83,720 83,490 
			 FTRS n/a n/a 170 340 410 
			 Surplus/Deficit -5,650 -5,230 -5,790 -5,840 -6,500 
		
	
	
		
			 Soldiers 1 April 2002 1 April 2003 1 April 2004 1 April 2005 1 January 2006 
		
		
			 Trained Requirement 90,400 89,930 89,730 87,030 85,410 
			 UK Regulars 83,140 84,440 85,940 84,860 83,520 
			 FTRS 580 590 420 180 200 
			 Surplus/Deficit -6,680 -4,900 -3,370 -2,000 -1,690 
		
	
	n/a=Not applicable. FTRS were created under the Reserve Forces Act 1998, and none existed before late 1997, hence figures prior to April 1998 do not include FTRS.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals are rounded separately and therefore may not equal the sum of their parts.
	2. Figures exclude Trained Officers, Trained Gurkhas, Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists.

Army

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) strength was of the (i) Grenadier Guards, (ii) Coldstream Guards, (iii) Scots Guards, (iv) Irish Guards, (v) Welsh Guards, (vi) Royal Scots, (vii) Royal Highland Fusiliers, (viii) King's Own Scottish Borderers, (ix) Black Watch, (x) Highlanders, (xi) Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, (xii) Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, (xiii) Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, (xiv) Royal Anglian Regiment, (xv) King's Own Royal Border Regiment, (xvi) King's Regiment, (xvii) Prince of Wales's Own Regiment, (xviii) Green Howards, (xix) Queen's Lancashire Regiment, (xx) Duke of Wellington's Regiment, (xxi) Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, (xxii) Cheshire Regiment, (xxiii) Royal Welch Fusiliers, (xxiv) Royal Regiment of Wales, (xxv) Royal Gloucester, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, (xxvi) Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, (xxvii) Staffordshire Regiment, (xxviii) The Light Infantry Regiment, (xxix) Royal Green Jackets, (xxx) Parachute Regiment and (xxxi) Royal Irish Regiment in (A) 1997 and (B) 2005.

Don Touhig: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Army

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of British Army personnel were recruited in Commonwealth countries in the latest year for which figures are available.

Don Touhig: Regardless of whether recruits are from the Commonwealth or United Kingdom, the recruitment process for the Regular Army is administered in the UK and therefore the following tables show the intake to the untrained strength of the Regular Army by Nationality:
	
		Regular Army untrained intake for financial year 2004–05
		
			 Nationality on Intake Total Officers Soldiers 
		
		
			 Total 11,300 680 10,620 
			 Commonwealth 960 30 930 
			 Other 10,340 650 9,700 
			 Commonwealth (Percentage) 9.3 4.2 9.6 
		
	
	
		Regular Army untrained Intake for the period 1 October 2004 to 30 September 2005
		
			 Nationality on Intake Total Officers Soldiers 
		
		
			 Total 11,680 720 10,960 
			 Commonwealth 700 20 690 
			 Other 10,970 700 10,270 
			 Commonwealth (Percentage) 6.0 2.1 6.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. UK Regular Army includes Nursing services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised Reservists.
	2. Officer figures include intake from the ranks and re-entrants.
	3. The figures are based on the nationality of personnel who joined the untrained strength of the Regular Army.
	4. Other includes British (or first nationality is British), Eire and UK Dependency nationalities.
	5. Percentages have been calculated as the number of personnel who joined the Army with the nationality recorded as Commonwealth, out of the total number of intakes during each period.
	6. The data have been rounded to the nearest 10, numbers ending in '5' have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Astute Class Submarines

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original (a) estimated cost and (b) in-service delivery date was of the first three Astute class submarines; what the latest estimates are; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The National Audit Office's Major Project Report for 2005 has reported an expected total cost of £3,492 million against a re-costed approval of £2,578 million. The first of class HMS Astute had originally been expected to enter service in June 2005. HMS Astute is scheduled to be delivered to the MOD by 2009. The second of class, HMS Ambush, will follow in mid 2010, and the third of class, HMS Artful, in 2012.

BAE Systems

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when (a) officials and (b) Ministers from his Department last met representatives of BAE Systems; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether official minutes of the most recent meeting of representatives of his Department with representatives from BAE Systems were made; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: BAE Systems is the Ministry of Defence's largest single supplier and the Department's officials hold numerous meetings with company representatives at various levels on a daily basis. In turns of Defence Ministers, my noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Lord Drayson) met representatives of BAE Systems on 2 February.
	The extent to which written records are made of any meeting involving the Department and representatives from BAE Systems depends on the nature of the discussions in each case.

Battlefield First Aid Training

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the revisions to Battlefield First Aid training since May 1997; what the cost of such revisions have been; how many (a) reservist and (b) regular personnel defaulted on qualifications due to failure to re-qualify in time; what proportion of these required complete retraining; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The revisions to Battlefield First Aid training since May 1997 are as follows:
	1 April 1999-Battlefield First Aid Training (BFAT) and the Aide Memoire was introduced at an estimated cost of £15,000.
	27 January 2003-BFAT was replaced by Battlefield Casualty Drills Training at an estimated cost of £8,000.
	Battlefield Casualty Drills Training is undertaken as part of pre-deployment training. Consequently, there is no time limit within which personnel must re-take such training.
	Following a review undertaken in 2005 a further change to Battlefield Casualty Drills Training will take place on 3 April 2006 with the introduction of new Military Annual Training and Testing and Basic Life Support protocols.

C130J Progamme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many C130J aircraft are deployed in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: For reasons of operational security, it has not been the policy of successive governments to make public details of the military capability—including numbers of specific aircraft variants—deployed on operations.

Cadet Forces

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is with regard to the establishment of combined cadet forces in state maintained schools.

Don Touhig: Combined Cadet Force contingents are based at various schools throughout the country. When considering applications from a prospective school to start a new unit the Ministry of Defence makes no distinction between private or state maintained schools. The establishment of a new school contingent requires two key resources. Firstly there must be sufficient funds available to establish and maintain the unit. Secondly, the school must be able to provide sufficient adult volunteers from within its staff who are keen to assist in the running of the contingent.

Cadet Forces

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what educational opportunities are available to members of the cadet forces.

Don Touhig: Members of the cadet forces have the opportunity to gain a wide range of national qualifications, from St John's Ambulance First Aid certificates and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, to vocational qualifications such as BTEC Diplomas in Public Services and Music which are equivalent to four GCSEs grades A to C or to four Scottish Standard Grades Levels 1 to 3.
	Additionally, the adult volunteers who so ably run the cadet force units have the opportunity to work towards instructor qualifications in Sports and Adventure Training and to gain National Vocational Qualifications up to and including the Level 5 Graduateship in Youth Management and Training.

Catering

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the standard of catering on charter flights for troops is equivalent to that provided on RAF flights.

Adam Ingram: The standards of catering on charter and RAF flights are similar, and there are no plans to ensure equivalence. For example, charter flights to the middle east/central Asia are required to provide, as a minimum, a substantial hot meal commensurate with flight duration, together with a light snack and hot drinks. Complimentary soft drinks should also be made available throughout the flight. To the same destinations, RAF flights would normally provide a hot three course meal and a hot or cold snack, four hot and three cold drinks.

Chorley Royal Ordnance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many explosives tests for departmental projects have been carried out at Chorley Royal Ordnance in the last 12 months; and what the nature of the test was in each case.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 13 February 2006
	There have been 55 explosive tests carried out on behalf of the Department at the BAE Systems (Land Systems) facility at Chorley in the last 12 months. 16 were explosives testing, nine were munitions testing, 24 were inspection tests of items prior to more detailed testing elsewhere and six were non destructive evaluation (NDE)-Radiography.

Cluster Munitions

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on whether cluster munitions should be subject to similar restrictions to those imposed on land mines under the Ottawa Accord.

Adam Ingram: Some cluster munitions remain unexploded through malfunction and leave Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). United Kingdom played an active role at the United Nations in creating a new legally binding protocol on ERW that will offer significant humanitarian benefit to those areas affected. Cluster munitions differ from anti-personnel landmines in a number of ways and the UK has not supported steps to broaden the scope of the Ottawa Convention to include them.

Complex Weapons

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with industry about the maintenance of design and manufacturing capabilities for complex weapons and missile systems in the UK.

Adam Ingram: During the development of the complex weapons element of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) we consulted widely with the relevant suppliers. Recently, an implementation team has been established to take this element of the DIS forward. Detailed engagement with the relevant suppliers will continue to determine how best to sustain the critical design and manufacturing capabilities the UK requires over the long term.

Complex Weapons

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to prepare a strategy for its future complex weapon requirements.

Adam Ingram: As announced in the Defence Industrial Strategy, we have established a multi-disciplinary team to work with UK-based industry to establish how we might together seek to sustain the critical guided weapons technologies that we judge to be important to our operational sovereignty. Our intention is that we should have a clearer way ahead by the end of 2006.

Courts Martial

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to allow UK-based witnesses giving evidence to a UK-based court martial to give evidence via a video link.

Adam Ingram: Provision for witnesses to give evidence by live video link in civilian proceedings is contained in part 8 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. These provisions have not yet been brought into force. Once they have been, consideration will be given to applying them to service courts.

Courts Martial

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many convicted (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force personnel subject to a court martial had (i) their sentence mitigated after presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority, (ii) their sentences mitigated without the presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority, (iii) the finding quashed after the presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority and (iv) the finding quashed without the presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority in each calendar year between 2000 and 2005.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Sentence mitigated after presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority Sentence mitigated without the presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority Finding quashed after presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority Finding quashed without the presentation of a petition to the reviewing authority 
		
		
			 2000 
			 Navy N/K N/K N/K N/K 
			 Army 18 6 4 2 
			 RAF 2 0 0 0 
			  
			 2001 
			 Navy N/K N/K N/K N/K 
			 Army 27 7 1 1 
			 RAF 4 0 1 1 
			  
			 2002 
			 Navy 0 0 1 0 
			 Army 17 0 1 1 
			 RAF 0 1 0 0 
			  
			 2003 
			 Navy 1 0 1 0 
			 Army 14 7 1 1 
			 RAF 0 1 0 0 
			  
			 2004 
			 Navy 5 0 0 15 
			 Army 22 7 1 2 
			 RAF 3 3 1 0 
			  
			 2005 
			 Navy 2 0 0 0 
			 Army 35 16 3 1 
			 RAF 0 2 0 0

Cyber Attack

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has put in place to secure the protection of his Department's computer system against cyber attack.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence recognises the potential threat posed by a cyber attack, and the importance of assuring the confidentiality, data integrity and availability of service of those information systems that support the delivery of military capability and other critical Departmental business processes.
	It is long-standing Government policy not to make comment on the detailed protective measures applied to communications and information systems, or on techniques such as computer hacking, as these could assist potential attackers.

Defence Industrial Strategy

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to produce a small and medium-sized enterprises strategy to support the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Adam Ingram: As part of the work to implement the Defence Industrial Strategy, we plan to develop our knowledge of the supply chain, including small and medium enterprises, to better understand the sources of innovation, expertise and critical technologies that we are likely to need in order to sustain and enhance our defence capabilities. We are also working to improve access to the defence research programme for smaller contractors, and to develop, with our prime contractors, closer working relationships with companies in lower tiers of the supply chain.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees will be affected by the rationalisation of locations in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Science and Technical Laboratory is currently consolidating its activities onto three core sites in accordance with the published rationalisation plan. During the next few years this will affect up to 1,300 employees who will move from Farnborough, Malvern, Winfrith, Portsdown West and Bedford to the core sites at Porton Down, Portsdown West and Fort Halstead.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the review of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory sites.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) was formed in 2001 following the split of the former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into Qinetiq and DSTL. On its vesting day in July 2001 DSTL staff were spread over 15 sites across the country.
	In November 2003, following a detailed study, ministerial approval was given for DSTL to consolidate its activities onto three core sites (Porton Down, Portsdown West and Fort Halstead). This approved option was fully reviewed and accepted by both the Treasury and the Lyons review.
	In particular the Lyons review was strongly supportive of the move away from Farnborough and accepted that the regional impact assessment of the Portsmouth area supported the case for a net increase in staff numbers at Portsdown West.

Defence Treaty 2000

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list projects taken forward as a consequence of the July 2000 Defence Treaty.

Adam Ingram: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Letter of Intent Framework Agreement (LOI FA) of 27 July 2000 (Cm 4895) between France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain and United Kingdom. The primary purpose of the agreement is to remove barriers to industrial co-operation between the industries of the signatory nations. The agreement also facilitates co-operation between partners to identify common staff targets (CST) and to identify and co-ordinate research and technology (R&T) projects. Projects of interest to the United Kingdom which have been taken forward or are under consideration within the LOI framework include:
	Air Launched Anti-ship Missile CST;
	Air-based Electronic Warfare-Large Aircraft Protection CST;
	Network Enabling Capability R&T;
	Electrical Fuel Cells R&T;
	Robotics and Automated Vehicles R&T;
	Infra-red sensors R&T;
	Information and Data Fusion Techniques R&T;
	Electric Propulsion R&T;
	Synthetic Environments (computer-based simulation) R&T;
	Disruptive Technologies (emerging technologies) R&T.

Def-expo 06

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the extent was of the UK's contribution to Def Expo 06 in New Delhi; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom provided a substantial contribution to Def Expo India 2006, held in New Delhi. My noble Friend, the Minister for Defence Procurement, led the UK official delegation, and over 30 UK companies were represented. The Defence Export Services Organisation's Export Support Team demonstrated a range of equipment, and Royal Air Force personnel briefed visitors on the capabilities of the EH101 helicopter. DESO officials participated in a Defence Industry seminar held in parallel to the exhibition.

Departmental Estate

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his Department to acquire facilities for the creation of an acquisition hub in the Abbey Wood area.

Adam Ingram: The business case for the creation of an acquisition hub in the Bristol/Bath area through the collocation of the Defence Logistics Organisation and the Defence Procurement Agency is not due to be presented to me until the spring of this year. Ministry of Defence land holdings in the area have, however, recently been augmented by the acquisition of a site adjacent to the current MOD site at Abbey Wood. This has enabled more flexible options to be developed to support the case for collocation.

Departmental Estate

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made with the creation of an acquisition hub in the Abbey Wood area; and what he estimates the final cost to be.

Adam Ingram: I expect the business case to be presented for my consideration in the spring of this year. I am not prepared to speculate on what the costs may be.

Departmental Expenditure

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the annual expenditure on training and development for (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) executive agency and (iii) other public body for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

Don Touhig: This level of information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, an estimate of MOD's annual resource consumption on individual training and education was published in March 2001 in paragraph 21 of the report on the Defence Training Review: 'Modernising Defence Training', a copy of which is available in the Library of the House—this estimated the cost at some £4.2 billion per year. We are not yet able to update this figure in the absence of a uniform method of attributing and reporting expenditure on training and education. Work continues to develop a consistent methodology for costing training activities across defence.

Departmental Finance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Spring Supplementary Estimates 2005–06, if he will break down the revised Request for Resources 1 Department Expenditure Limit provision by subhead in (a) near cash and (b) non cash terms.

Adam Ingram: The revised RfRl Department Expenditure Limit provision by sub head in near cash and non cash terms, pursuant to the Spring Supplementary Estimates 2005–06 is set out in table 1 as follows:
	
		Table 1—Composition of defence expenditure limit in near cash and non cash terms by TLB at spring supplementary estimates 2005–06 -- £000
		
			 TLB Near cash Non cash 
		
		
			 Commander-in-Chief Fleet 1,446,919 2,117,160 
			 General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland) 458,393 145,939 
			 Commander-in-Chief of Land Command 4,228,202 1,388,896 
			 Commander-in-Chief Strike Command 1,986,853 2,076,233 
			 Chief of Joint Operations 379,867 168,675 
			 Chief of Defence Logistics 5,564,560 3,540,882 
			 2nd Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command 682,671 82,765 
			 Adjutant General (Personnel and Training Command) 1,593,112 354,412 
			 Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command 780,328 101,415 
			 Central 2,057,039 585,555 
			 Defence Estates 1,131,042 203,209 
			 Defence Procurement Agency 6,352,683 766,697 
			 Corporate Science and Technology 507,452 (4,146) 
			 Total 27,169,121 11,527,692

Departmental Finance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates on which funds were advanced from the contingencies fund to provide for a deficient net cash requirement in the last five years.

Adam Ingram: Since 2001–02 (the year from which records are readily available), funds have been advanced from the contingencies fund, to provide for a deficient net cash requirement, on only one occasion. An advance of £1,000,000,000, pending formal parliamentary approval of the Spring Supplementary Estimate, was made on 12 March 2002.
	For the current financial year, an advance of £1,889,814,000 is expected to be made available in the first week of March 2006, again pending parliamentary approval of the Spring Supplementary Estimate.

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many job advertisements were placed by his Department (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what cost in each case.

Don Touhig: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking a major review of its HR processes, including recruitment and aims to transform the current system by June 2006. As part of this transformation process we have introduced a new data management system, HRMS, based on a Peoplesoft Human Resource management product. By June, when the new system is fully operational, it is envisaged that we will build data on the number of job advertisements placed by the MOD which will be available centrally.

Departmental Spending

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's total spending has been on the development of improvised explosive devices defeating technology, broken down by project.

Adam Ingram: Protecting the United Kingdom forces against the threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is a very high priority and we are constantly seeking to adapt our training, tactics and procedures and to develop our equipment capability to ensure that the risk to which our troops are exposed is minimised. Investment in technology to defeat IEDs is ongoing; however, it is not departmental policy to comment on the development of counter-IED capabilities as this may prejudice operational security.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were employed by his Department in each of the last 12 months for which data are available; and how many and what percentage of posts were vacant in each region in each month.

Don Touhig: The number of civilian personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence over the last 12 months for which data are available are listed in the following table:
	
		Headcount
		
			  Civil servants(1) Locally engaged civilians Total 
		
		
			 2005
			 February 95,210 15,130 110,340 
			 March 95,150 15,130 110,290 
			 April 94,820 15,660 110,480 
			 May 94,640 15,660 110,300 
			 June 94,330 15,660 109,990 
			 July 94,040 15,680 109,720 
			 August 94,140 15,680 109,820 
			 September 93,640 15,680 109,320 
			 October 92,950 15,410 108,360 
			 November 92,810 15,410 108,220 
			 December 92,710 15,410 108,120 
			 
			 2006
			 January(2) 92,150 16,150 108,300 
		
	
	(1) This includes all permanent and casual civilians, Trading Funds and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) staff.
	(2) The increase in civilian personnel between 1 December 2005 and 1 January 2006 is caused by an increase of 740 in the number of locally engaged civilian personnel, which is updated quarterly, (between 1 October 2005 and 1 January 2006 the number of locally engaged civilian personnel rose from 15,410 to 16,150), offset by a reduction of 560 in the remainder of the Department, Trading Funds and RFA staff.
	Details of the number of civilian Ministry of Defence posts vacant in each region in each month are not available, as this information is not held centrally by the MOD, and obtaining the data would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any (a) employee of his Department, (b) person engaged by his Department as a consultant and (c) paid adviser to his Department is a member of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Specific data on whether any persons employed by the Ministry of Defence or engaged by the MOD as a consultant or paid adviser are members of the House of Lords are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff he expects to be re-located following the creation of an acquisition hub in the Abbey Wood area; from which sites will they be re-located; by which agencies they are currently employed; and when he expects this process to begin.

Adam Ingram: A business case is being developed within the MOD that explores potential options for the collocation of the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) with the Defence Procurement Agency in the Bath/Bristol area. This involves the possible withdrawal of the DLO from a number of locations, namely: Andover, the Foxhill site in Bath, RAF Brampton/Wyton, Castle Court in Sherbourne, Caversfield near Bicester, Sapphire House in Telford, and Yeovilton.
	I expect the business case to be presented for my consideration in the spring of this year. I am not prepared to speculate on the number of staff who would be affected by any relocations.

Diego Garcia

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units are based in Diego Garcia.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom's military presence on Diego Garcia comprises one joint command of 41 personnel, reporting to Commander British Forces, British Indian Oceans Territory.

Disciplinary Support

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department makes available to senior officers implicated in allegations of serious offences against servicemen under their command.

Don Touhig: The armed forces have well-established procedures to support those implicated in allegations of serious offences, including the full range of welfare support, access to legal advice, and assistance in dealing with media attention when necessary.

Duty Tours

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will change the guidelines for rest and recuperation from operational theatres to offer a minimum of 12 days in the UK or home country for a six month tour of duty, and pro-rata subject to a minimum qualifying period for tours of a shorter duration.

Adam Ingram: At the discretion of the chain of command, rest and recuperation (R and R) is granted to personnel, serving in operational theatres or remote locations for periods in excess of four months, to allow them the time to rest offline to recharge their batteries in order to sustain their operational effectiveness. It is essential that, to maintain the operational tempo and for reasons of financial propriety, R and R is taken as close to the theatre of duty as possible, although if the operational situation permits and subject to the commander's endorsement, R and R may be taken at the individual's home address. Personnel on a six month tour would always, if it were operationally possible, receive at least 12 days R and R. The detail of how the days served on an operation should be translated into an R and R allowance has recently been reviewed and is currently in the process of being agreed.

Eurofighter Typhoon

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on future planned purchases of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Adam Ingram: The four Typhoon Partner Nations have, to date, contracted for 384 Eurofighter-Typhoon aircraft, 144 of which are destined for the Royal Air Force. A decision by the Partner Nations on the third production buy of the aircraft (known as Tranche 3) has still to be taken and is not required until at least 2007.

Fast Jet Training

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying training sorties by RAF fast jets there were in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Don Touhig: The information is not held in the precise form requested. The amount of military low flying that takes place in the United Kingdom is better expressed in hours rather than by number of sorties, which can vary significantly from minutes to several hours. On this basis, a Statement on the Pattern of Low Flying Across the UK is published annually, with copies placed in the Library of the House. The information is recorded on the basis of the training year, which runs from April to the following March. The amount of fixed wing low flying that has taken place over the last five years is as follows (this may include a small amount of flying by aircraft other than fast jets, eg Hercules and Tucano):
	
		
			  Total fixed wing hours 
		
		
			 2000–01 25,521 
			 2001–02 28,663 
			 2002–03 29,028 
			 2003–04 28,289 
			 2004–05 26,785

Gulf War Syndrome

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what criteria claims by former members of the armed services in relation to Gulf war syndrome are assessed; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: All war pension claims from former members of the armed services (including those regarding the umbrella term Gulf war syndrome) are assessed as set out in legislation. That is
	by making a comparison between the condition of the member as so disabled and the condition of a normal healthy person of the same age and sex, without taking into account the earning capacity of the member in his disabled condition in his own or any other specific trade or occupation, and without taking into account the effect of any individual factors or extraneous circumstances."
	Assessments of less than 20 per cent. normally result in a tax-free lump sum award and assessments of 20 per cent. or more result in a pension.

Helicopters

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many further helicopters are to be deployed to Afghanistan over the next six months, broken down by type;
	(2)  how many helicopters each UK regiment in Afghanistan has, broken down by type;
	(3)  how many helicopters in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan are out of service due to (i) mechanical faults, (ii) routine servicing and (iii) other reasons.

Adam Ingram: Three helicopters have recently arrived in Afghanistan. As announced by Secretary of State on 26 January 2006, 18 helicopters will deploy to Afghanistan over the next six months: eight AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, four Lynx light utility helicopters and six CH-47 Chinook support helicopters. These assets will be available to support all UK troops and are not allocated to a specific regiment. They will be allocated according to operational priorities. On-going helicopter support is available from other coalition nations.
	I am withholding details of helicopter availability in operational theatres, as it would be prejudicial to the security of UK armed forces operating there.

Helicopters

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the replacement of the AgustaWestland A109 Hirundos.

Adam Ingram: We are planning to replace the Agusta Westland A109s that the United Kingdom has in service once they reach their out of service date.

Helicopters

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had with the Indian government about the EH101 to meet the Indian requirement for 80 medium-lift helicopters;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with the Indian government about the Eurofighter Typhoon to meet the Indian requirement for 126 multi-role combat aircraft.

Adam Ingram: Exploratory discussions have taken place on a number of occasions towards achieving a greater understanding of India's requirements for medium-lift helicopters and multi-role combat aircraft.

HMS Argyll

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1087W, on the Type 23 frigate, why HMS Argyll has received different consideration from the rest of the Type 23 fleet.

Adam Ingram: The operational requirement is for 12 Type 23 frigates to be modified to operate the Merlin helicopter. The decision on which ships are to be modified is determined by the fitting opportunities within the frigate upkeep programme. On current plans HMS Argyll will not be modified as the requirement will be met by other frigates with earlier fitting opportunities within the upkeep programme. Should the programme change, then the situation will be reviewed.

Infantry Deployments

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) deployments and (b) the length of time between each deployment for each infantry battalion in the past five years.

Adam Ingram: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House. Deployments have been defined as unaccompanied battalion level operational tours.

Injured Personnel

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 28W, on Afghanistan, if his Department will publish casualty figures broken down in the same way as those for Iraq for (a) Afghanistan, (b) Kosovo and (c) other areas of deployment.

Adam Ingram: We have undertaken to provide casualty statistics for Afghanistan from 1 January 2006 to the same conventions as Iraq. Work is ongoing to revise the publication of casualty statistics for all other areas of deployment. I will write to the right hon. Member when it is complete, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Injured Personnel

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Department of Health on ensuring that injured service personnel receive adequate care.

Don Touhig: The formal framework for discussions between the two Departments is set out in a concordat, first signed by my predecessor and his Department of Health (DH) counterpart in 2002, and revised in 2005 to include the other UK health authorities, which sets out how the Defence Medical Services (DMS) and the NHS will work together to further their individual and mutual aims of delivering high quality health care to both the UK armed forces and NHS patients.
	A joint MOD/DH Partnership Board, co-chaired by senior MOD and DH personnel, meets three times a year to monitor the effectiveness of the concordat and to explore mutual areas of co-operation. I am kept informed of the work of the Partnership Board. In 2005, the Partnership Board approved revised health guidance for the NHS covering, among other things, arrangements for the treatment of service personnel in NHS hospitals and the continuing care of service personnel on retirement or discharge from the armed forces.
	Under the umbrella of the Partnership Board, in accordance with the concordat, numerous other official level discussions, both formal and informal, take place as required at the national and local level, on an ongoing basis to ensure that the health needs of injured service personnel are met across the entire patient pathway (from reception, including airlift from theatre, to rehabilitation and return to active service or discharge).
	I will place a copy of the concordat in the Library of the House.

Iraq Service Medal

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 705W, on the Iraq service medal, how many (a) contractors, (b) aid personnel, (c) consultants, (d) private security staff and (e) journalists have been awarded the Iraq medal; and if he will list those in each category.

Don Touhig: The records for Iraq Medal awards to consultants, private security staff and contractors are not identifiable separately from each other. As at 14 February 2006, the following medals had been issued to civilian personnel who have served or are serving in direct support of Operation Telic.
	
		
			 Category Number of medals issued 
		
		
			 Contractors(3) 335 
			 Aid Personnel(4) 16 
			 Journalists(5) 106 
		
	
	Notes:
	(3) Applicants are not required to specify employment undertaken.
	(4) 16 members of the St. John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service.
	(5) Includes 40 members of the British Forces Broadcasting Service, part of the Services Sound and Vision Corporation, a registered charity charged with providing entertainment to British Forces abroad and two journalists from Soldier Magazine.

Kuwait

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost was of deploying troops and equipment to Kuwait between November 2002 and March 2003.

Adam Ingram: Operational costs directly relating to the deployment of troops and equipment to Kuwait were subsumed within the overall operation in Iraq. The annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Iraq for the financial year 2002–03 was £848 million.

Lancastria Bombing (1940)

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why access to the official records on the bombing on 17 June 1940 of the vessel Lancastria is restricted until 2040; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence records relating to the loss of the SS Lancastria were not closed until 2040. They have been transferred to the National Archives, where they are available to the public.
	The details of these records are:
	ADM1/10710 Publication of losses and damage to HM and merchant ships: broadcasting policy. 1940 (policy relating to the withholding of news from Press)
	ADM1/12264 HMT Cambridgeshire in rescue of survivors from SS Lancastria during evacuation from France: awards to personnel 1942
	ADM199/76 Enemy air attacks on RN and merchant shipping: reports. 1939–1941 (contains Commander-in-Chief's one page report)
	ADM199/2133—Survivors Report: Merchant Vessels. 1940 June-August (contains the Master's report)
	AIR 2/4593 Sinking of SS Lancastria 1940–1942
	AIR 35/190 SS Lancastria: Lists of RAF casualties and survivors with related correspondence, and other nominal lists of RAF personnel 1940
	WO32/18802 SS Lancastria: casualties resulting from sinking after bombing attacks St. Nazaire 17 June 1940
	WO32/21835 SS Lancastria: casualties resulting from sinking after bombing attacks at St. Nazaire 17 June 1940.

Land Maintenance

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much is available for the maintenance of Ministry of Defence land in Essex; and how many keepers were employed to maintain Ministry of Defence land in Essex in each of the last five years.

Don Touhig: This information is not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Low-flying Aircraft

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training sorties have been undertaken in the mid-Wales military tactical training area by military aircraft flying below 250 feet in each year since 1994.

Don Touhig: The information is not held in the precise form requested. Military fixed wing training below 250 feet in a tactical training area is referred to as Operational Low Flying (OLF). The actual amount of OLF activity in Low Flying Area 7(T) for the following training years is:
	
		
			  Amount of OLF activity 
		
		
			 1998–99 26 hours 1 minute 
			 1999–2000 38 hours 8 minutes 
			 2000–01 25 hours 21 minutes 
			 2001–02 30 hours 23 minutes 
			 2002–03 33 hours 12 minutes 
			 2003–04 32 hours 12 minutes 
			 2004–05 27 hours 15 minutes 
		
	
	The figures for earlier years are unavailable.

Low-flying Aircraft

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been paid in compensation to farmers for livestock losses caused by low-flying military aircraft in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales in each year since 1994.

Don Touhig: The information is not held in the format requested, but the value of compensation paid (inclusive of legal costs) in relation to livestock losses caused by low-flying military aircraft in England, Scotland and Wales for each financial year since 1994 is as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Amount paid 
		
		
			 1993–94 337,569 
			 1994–95 259,814 
			 1995–96 261,328 
			 1996–97 169,092 
			 1997–98 169,867 
			 1998–99 401,326 
			 1999–2000 220,112 
			 2000–01 491,663 
			 2001–02 272,334 
			 2002–03 236,453 
			 2003–04 330,082 
			 2004–05 407,813

MAN Trucks Contract

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of British workers involved in the MAN trucks contract for the support vehicles fleet.

Adam Ingram: We estimate that approximately 400 jobs will be created or sustained in the UK as a direct result of the contract, not including all the indirect work that will be generated.

Military Support (United States)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his US counterparts about the provision by the United States of logistic support on operations.

Adam Ingram: There is constant dialogue with the United States on defence matters both at ministerial and official level. This dialogue is wide-ranging but includes the development of higher level doctrine, concepts and strategies, as well as the provision of technical logistic support in operational theatres.

Military Support (United States)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the equipment which is being leased from the United States by UK armed forces.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence leases equipment, including four C-17 aircraft, from the United States. There is no centrally held comprehensive record of all leased equipment and such a list could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Military Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), (b) Armoured Fighting Vehicle 430 Series, (c) Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier, (d) Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank Challenger Repair and Recovery Vehicle and (e) Heavy Equipment Transporters there were in the armed forces in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: The following table provides a breakdown of the numbers of tracked vehicles and transporters in-service with the armed forces covering the period 1997–2006.
	
		
			 Equipment 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
		
		
			 Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked (CVR(T)  (all variants) 1,557 1,557 1,557 1,557 1,557 1,557 1,557 1,226 1,226 1,226 
			 Fighting Vehicle 430 (FV 430) Series 1,843 1,797 1,750 1,721 1,721 1,721 1,721 1,492 1,492 1,492 
			 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle (all variants) 794 794 794 794 794 794 794 794 794 794 
			 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (CR2 MBT) 47 131 237 309 386 386 385 385 385 385 
			 Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle  (CRARRV) 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 
			 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET)(6) — — — — — — 20 89 89 89 
		
	
	(6) The HET was introduced into service in 2003.

Military Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and on how many occasions (a) Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), (b) Armoured Fighting Vehicle 430 Series, (c) Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier, (d) Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank Challenger Repair and Recovery Vehicle and (e) Heavy Equipment Transporters were cannibalised in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: There has been one cannibalisation programme for these vehicles in the last five years—in 2003, as shown in the following table. Each donor vehicle was cannibalised only once and subsequently returned to full operational standard. In this context cannibalisation is defined as the removal of 'fit' repairable items from 'fit' complete platforms as an interim measure to ensure that when expeditionary forces are deployed on major operations they are fully equipped with sufficient spare repairable items.
	
		
			 Vehicle Number of vehicles cannibalised 
		
		
			 Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) 56 
			 Armed Fighting Vehicle 430 Series 0 
			 Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier 24 
			 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank 44 
			 Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery  Vehicle 5 
			 Heavy Equipment Transporters 0

National Servicemen

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last national serviceman was (a) called-up, (b) de-mobbed and (c) killed in action.

Don Touhig: The last group of national servicemen was called up on 17 November 1960. This group was released during May 1963, apart from a few men whose release was deferred for various reasons. Information concerning the exact date on which the last national serviceman was released and the date on which the last national serviceman was killed in action is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Navigation Data

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what technologies other than global positioning satellites are being considered for his Department's navigation data requirements.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence uses a mix of current technologies ranging from map and compass and stellar fixing through radar mapping, radio beacons, inertial navigation systems and terrain referencing systems. More advanced technologies are being researched which aim to refine established techniques, as well as developing new ideas.

Navigation Data

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK personnel are involved in the US Global Information Grid; and what measures his Department is taking to develop a similar capability for the UK.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is not directly involved in the development or implementation of the US Global Information Grid (GIG). In such cases we keep abreast of policy and technical developments in order to ensure that we continue to be able to operate alongside US forces. Our own efforts are focused on the programmes which contribute to the UK Global Information Infrastructure such as the Defence Information Infrastructure, the FALCON communications system and the Skynet 5 satellite communications service.

Network Centricity

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent consultations his Department has had with the United States concerning network centricity and interoperability.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has regular consultations with the United States over network centric warfare and interoperability. These consultations cover a wide range of activities including meetings to agree strategic direction, discussions on technical standards, individual equipment tests and trials and joint exercises. Of note is the recently released NATO Network Enabled Capability Framework, in which the United States Department of Defense and the UK MOD participated fully.

Olympic Games (Forces' Participation)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces he expects to compete in (a) the 2008 Olympic Games and (b) the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

Don Touhig: While selection of the members of the Olympic teams for Beijing rests with the appropriate national governing body and has yet to take place, five members of the armed forces have realistic aspirations of competing in the 2008 Olympic Games. Eight members of the armed forces are participating in the current Winter Olympic Games.

Olympic Games (Forces' Participation)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces competed in (a) the last three Olympic Games and (b) each of the last three Winter Olympic Games.

Don Touhig: The number of members of the United Kingdom Armed Forces personnel who competed in the last three Olympic Games are: 2004—three, 2000—three, 1996—three.
	The number of members of the UK armed forces competing in the last three Winter Olympic Games are: 2002—12 (including one individual Bronze medal winner), 1998—seven (of whom three were team Bronze medal winners), 1994—10.

Olympic Games (Forces' Participation)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance is given (a) to encourage and (b) to support members of the UK armed forces who have sporting prowess sufficient to be considered for participation in the Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: As far as operational commitments allow, United Kingdom armed forces personnel are allocated time to play sport during the working week and every encouragement is given to participate from grass roots to the elite level.
	Comprehensive sports facilities and equipment are provided from public funds in a wide range of sports. Travel costs are reimbursed for Services representational sports events. Non-public funds are used to support those representing national teams.
	Those athletes showing outstanding potential for an international career are considered for the 'elite athletes' programme. Selection enables the individual to train full time for a fixed period leading up to a major international sporting event.

Operation Telic

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of military reservists mobilised specifically for Operation Telic to December 2005.

Adam Ingram: As the net additional cost of Service Personnel for Operation Telic is calculated as a whole it is not possible to separately break down the costs of military mobilised reservists.

Peacekeeping

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of peacekeeping by United Kingdom forces for each peacekeeping operation in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts. Costs of peacekeeping operations for Financial Years 1997–98 to 2004–05 were:
	
		Military operations—Costs 2002–05 -- £ million (current prices)
		
			  Resource DEL outturn Capital DEL outturn Total outturn 
		
		
			 Total peacekeeping costs 2004–05 890 174 1,064 
			 of which:
			 Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo) 85 2 87 
			 Afghanistan 58 9 67 
			 Iraq 747 163 910 
			 
			 Total peacekeeping costs 2003–04 1,193 269 1,462 
			 of which:
			 Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo) 104 (7)-1 103 
			 Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 0 1 
			 Afghanistan 36 10 46 
			 Iraq 1,051 260 1,311 
			 Sierra Leone 1 0 1 
			 EUFYROM 1 0 1 
			 Total peacekeeping costs 2002–03 1,071 319 1,390 
			 of which:
			 Kosovo 87 18 105 
			 Bosnia 79 2 81 
			 Gulf 39 6 45 
			 Afghanistan 236 75 311 
			 Iraq 630 218 848 
		
	
	(7) Adjustment from previous year.
	
		Military operations—Costs (prior to resource accounting) -- £ million
		
			  Total outturn 
		
		
			 Total peacekeeping costs 2001–02 557 
			 of which:  
			 Kosovo 142 
			 Bosnia 93 
			 Gulf 61 
			 Sierra Leone 40 
			 Afghanistan 221 
			   
			 Total peacekeeping costs 2000–01 382 
			 of which:  
			 Kosovo 220 
			 Bosnia 120 
			 Gulf(8) 25 
			 Sierra Leone 17 
			   
			 Total peacekeeping costs 1999–2000 461 
			 of which:  
			 Kosovo 325 
			 Bosnia 108 
			 Gulf(8) 28 
			   
			 Total peacekeeping costs 1998–99 196 
			 of which:  
			 Kosovo 14 
			 Bosnia 147 
			 Gulf(8) 35 
			   
			 Total peacekeeping costs 1997–98 402 
			 of which:  
			 Bosnia 386 
			 Gulf(8) 16 
		
	
	(8) RFR1 cost.
	The following estimated costs for operations in 2005–06 were included in Spring Supplementary Estimates published in February:
	
		£
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 Afghanistan 220,497,000 
			 Iraq 1,098,036,000 
			 Balkans 64,000,000 
		
	
	Final figures will be published in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005–06 following audit by the National Audit Office.

Nuclear Deterrent

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the British nuclear deterrent.

John Reid: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Nick Herbert).

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of his Department and its predecessors.

Don Touhig: This reply deals separately with the accrued pension liabilities for military personnel and civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence.
	Military pension liabilities are covered by the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS). This is a salary-related, contracted out, occupational pension scheme open to most members of the armed forces. The Armed Forces Pension Scheme Resource Accounts for 2004–05 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was £66.5 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	
		£ billion
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 Active members (past service) 20.7 
			 Deferred pensions 5.3 
			 Pensions in payment 40.5 
		
	
	Most civilian pension liabilities are covered by the Principal Civil Service Pension scheme. This is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 2004–05 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was £84.1 billion. The value of the pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	
		£ billion
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 Liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme 37 
			 Deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants for members no longer contributing 12.7 
			 Current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants 34.4 
		
	
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by £10.6 billion to £94.7 billion.
	There is a relatively small pension liability for MOD civilian employees who are in the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the NHS Pension Scheme. These are unfunded defined schemes but, again, the MOD is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities. Details of the assets and liabilities can be found in the respective resource accounts of the schemes; these are published and copies are available in the Library.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many mental health (a) professionals, (b) beds and (c) other facilities his Department has in place in Iraq to identify and treat service personnel with post traumatic stress disorder and related conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: A mental health team is based at the United Kingdom Shaibah Logistics base which is currently staffed by two community psychiatric nurses.
	In addition, there is a programme of visits to theatre by a consultant psychiatrist. These are undertaken primarily for clinical governance purposes, but the visiting consultant will also provide advice on particular patients as required.
	The UK Field hospital in Shaibah has a total number of 50 beds. These are not designated for the treatment of specific conditions and are available for personnel with mental health problems should they be required.
	If further advice or treatment is required that cannot be provided in theatre, the patient will be aeromedically evacuated out of Iraq for treatment in the UK or at UK defence community mental health centres in Cyprus, Germany and Gibraltar.

Qinetiq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what professional advice his Department received about the offering of shares in Qinetiq to retail investors at flotation; when this advice was received; whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers challenged this advice; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: Advice from the joint financial advisers on the offering of shares in Qinetiq to retail investors was received at various stages in the IPO process. As with all advice, this was subject to independent scrutiny by the independent financial adviser, ABN Amro Rothschild, as well as by Government officials, Carlyle and the company. The final decision that the Qinetiq IPO should not include a retail offer was taken in consultation with other Government Departments. It remains the Government's view that a retail offer for Qinetiq would not have offered value for money for the taxpayer.

Qinetiq

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the head of the civil service was consulted on the extent to which individual former public servants would benefit financially from the flotation of Qinetiq.

John Reid: No, the head of the civil service was not consulted, as it was not considered necessary to do so. All Qinetiq employees ceased to be public servants on vesting of the company on 1 July 2001.

Radio Frequency Identification

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the increased use of radio frequency identification technologies in (a) the logistical process and (b) his Department's supply chains.

Adam Ingram: Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been in use in the logistical process and supply chain as part of the total asset visibility (TAV) system since December 2002. The Ministry of Defence is currently reviewing existing capability in this area and is increasing the use of TAV in Afghanistan to support the developing operational requirement there. We plan to trial an enhanced active RFID capability in June 2006 to assess its potential to provide further improvements in our consignment tracking capability.

RAF Cosford (Museum)

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making to mark the formal opening of the new Cold War museum at RAF Cosford.

Don Touhig: As the RAF Museum is a non-departmental public body, the day-to-day running is a matter for the Board of Trustees and the senior management team.
	It is my understanding that the RAF Museum is currently completing its national Cold War exhibition. The extension to the current Museum at Cosford is due to be completed towards the end of this year. Plans to mark the opening are currently being developed by the museum, and an announcement will be made in due course.

RAF Fleet

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans (a) to procure and (b) to lease further air-to-air refuelling aircraft before aircraft provided by the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft private finance initiative enter service.

Adam Ingram: We have no such plans.

RAF Fleet

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many air-to-air refuelling aircraft are on deployment in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq and (c) elsewhere; and what changes he is planning to make to these numbers.

Adam Ingram: Two VCl0s are deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; and one in the Falkland Islands. No changes to the numbers of these aircraft are planned.

RAF Fleet

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the minimum number of aircraft is needed to meet his Department's air-to-air refuelling requirement.

Adam Ingram: There are 22 aircraft in the current air-to-air refuelling (AAR) fleet. We judge that this fleet provides enough capability to meet the requirement set by the Ministry of Defence centrally for the estimated peak activity for the most demanding scenarios for which we plan.
	For our future capability, the minimum number of aircraft will depend on a range of factors including the overall capabilities of the aircraft selected to carry out the role.

RAF Fleet

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what his Department's deadline is for the commencement of the future strategic tanker aircraft private finance initiative; and whether he has reassessed the desirability of a conventional procurement to meet this requirement;
	(2)  when he expects to sign the contract for the future strategic tanker aircraft private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement on how the programme is progressing.

Adam Ingram: The future strategic tanker aircraft project is currently in the assessment phase and as such does not have formally approved planning dates. Endorsement of firm planning dates remains subject to the outcome of final negotiations with industry. As is prudent with such an important capability, we keep our options under review but believe that PFI offers the best prospect of securing a value for money solution to our air to air refuelling requirements.

RAF Fleet

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made by the AirTanker consortium in securing third party commercial operations for the aircraft involved in the future strategic tanker aircraft private finance initiative.

Adam Ingram: We are currently in negotiations with the AirTanker consortium for a PFI service contract and the details of the negotiations are commercially sensitive. Securing third party commercial business is a matter for AirTanker.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of (a) weld mesh fencing, (b) razor wire, (c) CCTV cameras and (d) other security measures at RAF Menwith Hill was in 2004–05; and who is responsible for such funding.

Adam Ingram: Physical security measures such as the weld mesh fencing, razor wire and CCTV cameras at RAF Menwith Hill are funded by the US authorities. The cost data is not held by the Ministry of Defence.

Royal Ordnance Sites

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met representatives of the trade unions to discuss the closure of Bridgwater Royal Ordnance site.

Adam Ingram: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has never met with representatives of the trade unions to discuss the closure of the BAE Systems Land Systems Bridgwater site. These matters are rightly the responsibility of the company.

Service Families (Medical Services)

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what dentistry services are provided for families of personnel in the (a) Royal Marines, (b) Royal Navy, (c) Army and (d) Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Civilian dependants of members of the United Kingdom armed forces resident in the UK have no entitlement to treatment at Defence Dental Service (DDS) facilities, as responsibility for their dental care rests with the NHS. However, dependants of Ghurkha personnel who are serving in accompanied posts worldwide are afforded dental treatment at no cost to themselves.
	At overseas locations treatment for UK dependants is provided by the DDS at its own dental centres.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the civil service work force reductions targets for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the Review.

Don Touhig: As part of the 2004 Spending Review settlement, the Ministry of Defence agreed to reduce the civil service work force in the MOD by 10,000 by 1 April 2008. These reductions are expected to save over £150 million by 1 April 2008, although the exact figure will depend on the actual grades of those posts removed. Most, if not all, of the forecast savings are being scored against the Department's 2004 Spending Review efficiency target.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the target level of employment expressed as full-time equivalents in his Department by April 2008, in order to meet his Department's civil service work force reductions target set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Don Touhig: As a result of work force target reductions set out in the Spending Review 2004 the target level of employment expressed as full-time equivalents for the Ministry of Defence by April 2008 is 95,236.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what total efficiency savings were achieved by his Department in 2004–05; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence made just over £200 million of efficiency savings in 2004–05, excluding any efficiencies made by the Defence Logistics Transformation programme, which are subject to audit. £100 million of these efficiencies have been carried forward into the figures being reported this year.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what interim targets he has set for achieving (a) the agreed efficiency target for his Department and (b) the civil service work force reductions targets for (i) gross reductions in posts, (ii) net reductions in posts and (iii) relocations for his Department, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review; what the baseline figures are against which these interim targets are assessed; on what dates they will take effect; and by what dates these interim targets are intended to be met.

Don Touhig: The only formal interim target we have set is to reduce civilian manpower numbers by 3,255 by 1 April 2006 and by 6,288 by 1 April 2007 from a baseline of 106,810 at 1 April 2004. However we also intend delivering at least one third of our overall efficiency target by the end of the current financial year, and two thirds by April 2007.

Spring Supplementary Estimates

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written statement of 14 February 2006, Official Report, columns 71–72WS, on the Spring Supplementary Estimates, what operations comprised the extension of aircraft operations referred to; and what elements made up the £2.1 million transferred to his Department from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Adam Ingram: The transfer of £2.1 million from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is to provide an extension to the Canberra fleet in support of their ongoing initiatives.

Territorial Army

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vacancies there are in the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland.

Don Touhig: As at 31 January 2006 the strength of the Territorial Army (TA) in Northern Ireland was 1,554 against an establishment of 2,078, including the Queen's University Officer Training Corps (QUOTC) which is a Type B TA unit. The strength excluding the QUOTC was 1,333 against an establishment of 1,908.

Tomahawk Block IV Missile

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy has tested the torpedo tube-launched variant of the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: holding answer 15 February 2006
	A test firing of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile Torpedo Tube Launched Block IV variant was undertaken by a Royal Navy submarine in June 2005. The test did not achieve its aim. However, valuable lessons were learnt and modifications to the missile have now been made. The Royal Navy intends to conduct another test firing later this year.

Type 45 Destroyer

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast unit production cost of a Type 45 destroyer was as at 31 March of financial years 2000–01 to 2004–05, broken down by (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), (b) direct resource DEL and (c) capital DEL.

Adam Ingram: The forecast unit production cost of the Type 45 destroyer programme as at the end of financial years 31 March 2002 to 2005 are as reported in the respective Major Projects Report 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005; and are as follows:
	
		
			  Major Projects Report Unit production costs (£ million) 
		
		
			 2002 632.7 
			 2003 552.7 
			 2004 576.7 
			 2005 561.6 
		
	
	As is normal practice for MPR reporting, the unit production costs are based entirely on capital expenditure and do not include non-recurring expenditure or indirect resource expenditure. For the financial year ending 31 March 2001, only the total forecasted cost of £5,250 million is available.

Type 45 Destroyer

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast cost at Main Gate was of the Type 45 destroyer programme, broken down by (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), (b) direct resource DEL and (c) capital DEL.

Adam Ingram: The forecast cost at Main Gate of the Type 45 programme broken down into indirect resource expenditure (I-RDEL), direct resource expenditure (R-DEL) and capital expenditure (CDEL) is as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 R-DEL 0.0 
			 I-RDEL 500 
			 CDEL 4,975 
			 Total 5,475 
		
	
	At the time of Main Gate approval there was no distinction between direct resource expenditure and capital expenditure. The figures for Main Gate approval are in accordance with those which have been reported in Major Projects Report 2004 onwards, which were adjusted in agreement with the National Audit Office to take into account the Treasury change to the rate of interest on capital from 6 per cent. to 3.5 per cent., effective from 1 April 2003.

Type 45 Destroyer

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total overspend has been in developing the Type 45 destroyer.

Adam Ingram: It is not possible to provide specific details of the development costs of the Type 45 destroyer as the contracts placed for both the warship and its main weapon system (the Principal Anti-Air Missiles System) cover both development and production phases. As reported in Major Projects Report 2005, we expect the initial acquisition costs of the first six Type 45 destroyers to be £5,896 million as opposed to a figure of £5,475 million when the project was approved originally in 2000. The reasons for cost growth are detailed in successive editions of the Major Projects Report.

UK Force Planning

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to include UK private contractors in future UK force planning.

Adam Ingram: Contractors on Deployed Operations (CONDO) is an established mechanism for providing support alongside military capability, and is an alternative to Host Nation Support and various forms of multi-national logistic support agreements. CONDO is routinely considered during the Ministry of Defence's Force Estimation process and throughout the planning stages and life of operations. The use of CONDO is specific to each operational situation and must be fully justified, considering assurance of support to the military commander, risk to contractors' personnel and value for money.

Vandalism

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the acts of vandalism which have been perpetrated (a) inside and (b) on the outside of his Department's buildings in the last 12 months.

Don Touhig: The information is not held centrally in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, during 2005, 669 acts of criminal damage were reported to the Ministry of Defence police and recorded. The figures relate to criminal damage in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and malicious mischief and vandalism in Scotland.

War on Terrorism

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his United States counterpart discussed with him during preparation of the United States national military strategic plan for the war on terrorism of US policies that may affect the United Kingdom.

John Reid: No; there was no formal discussion specifically related to this subject. There are regular discussions between the United States of America and the United Kingdom at all levels on a wide variety of counter terrorism issues.

White Phosphorus

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1682W, to the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), on white phosphorus, what is considered a safe distance between deployed white phosphorus and non-combatants; and what attention is paid in assessing such a safe distance to wind direction and force.

John Reid: As I said in my answer of 12 December 2005, our armed forces go to great lengths to ensure that civilians and non-combatants are not harmed during operations; guidelines issued to British military personnel on the use of white phosphorus emphasise that it should not be deployed as an anti-personnel weapon. Commanders in the field draw upon training guidance relating to precautions to be taken in relation to our own forces when considering safe distances between deployed white phosphorus and non-combatants. The direction and force of wind have little effect on the dispersion of white phosphorus upon impact but are taken into account when calculating the passage of a round in flight.
	I am withholding information about safe distances as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our forces.

PRIME MINISTER

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Greg Hands: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact on the efficient working of Government of the absence of a Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House gave to the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 467.

Energy Efficient Measures

Greg Hands: To ask the Prime Minister what energy efficient measures he has introduced at numbers (a) 10 and (b) 11 Downing street.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Jim Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Honours (Forfeiture)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy for honours to be forfeited if the holder is judged to have behaved dishonourably.

Tony Blair: Forfeiture is considered in cases where the retention of an honour would bring the honours system into disrepute. The Sovereign may, on the advice of Ministers, cancel membership of any of the Orders of Chivalry or appointment as Knight Bachelor.

House of Lords Appointments Commission

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Tony Blair: The Commission has carried out its duties effectively, and continues to do so.

House of Lords Appointments Commission

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister when the House of Lords Appointments Commission is expected to advise him on the suitability of persons most recently proposed for elevation to the peerage.

Tony Blair: The process of consideration for the next list is continuing.

Iraq

Mark Harper: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 15 February 2006 (50367), for what reasons he will not disclose the (a) dates and (b) locations of his visits to British soldiers injured in Iraq.

Tony Blair: The reasons are set out in the press briefing to which my answer of 15 February referred.

Livestock Market (Shrewsbury)

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister if he will come to Shrewsbury in March to open the new livestock market.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so. However, I understand that my noble Friend Lord Bach, the Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food would be happy to attend, subject to diary commitments.

Meetings

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1038–1039W, on Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill and his answer of 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2653W, on meetings, which issues of national security prevent him from revealing dates of past meetings.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1038–1039W.

Meetings

Steve Webb: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the attendees at the round-table meeting of the NHS Partner's Network on 16 February 2006.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my official spokesman on 16 February 2006, a copy of which is available on the Number 10 website. The meeting was attended by representatives from a wide range of organisations, from both within Government and outside Government.

Milk Prices

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister if he will host a meeting in Downing street between Shropshire dairy farmers and the chief executives of Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's to discuss the price paid by those supermarkets for the milk they buy.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so. However, my noble Friend Lord Bach, the Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food, has had a number of meetings with dairy farmers and those who represent their interests. He also chairs the Dairy Supply Chain Forum at which both farmers and retailers are represented, and which meets regularly to discuss dairy issues.

CABINET OFFICE

Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department spent on recruitment advertising in each year since 1997–98; how many posts were involved in each case, broken down by salary band; and if he will list the publications in which his Department placed paid recruitment advertising in each year.

Jim Murphy: Table one shows Cabinet Office recruitment advertising expenditure for 2004–05 and 2005–06 broken down by salary band. Cabinet Office systems are not sufficiently structured to provide accurate information on these issues prior to 1 April 2004.
	Publications in which Cabinet Office has placed recruitment advertisements are only available from 2001, and are shown in table two.
	The Cabinet Office is also responsible for the advertising and filling of Fast Stream vacancies across the Civil Service. Publications in which Cabinet Office has placed Fast Stream recruitment advertisements are shown in table three and represents the number of occasions a publication was used. This data is only available from 2001.
	The costs incurred for Fast Stream advertising and the number of posts filled as a result of this advertising are shown in table four. All Fast Stream posts are recruited to Pay Band B2 HEO(D).
	
		Table One—Recruitment advertising expenditure
		
			  2004–05 2005–06 
			 Salary band Number Cost (£) Number Cost (£) 
		
		
			 SCS 1, 2 and 3 23 105,005 14 84,877 
			 A 8 29,062 11 46,268 
			 B2 8 24,483 2 6,760 
			 B1 14 47,185 4 3,451 
			 C2 9 13,202 13 3,289 
			 C1 3 6,121 2 1,255 
			 Specialists 5 11,770 10 26,676 
			 Total 70 236,828 56 172,576 
		
	
	
		Table Three—Fast Stream Recruitment Publications
		
			 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 The Guardian The Guardian The Guardian The Guardian The Guardian 
			 Prospects Today The Times Yourable.com Prospects Directory Prospects Directory 
			 The Times Milkround Online The Guardian Times Top 100 Times Top 100 
			 Prospects Prospects Directory New Scientist Blackandasiangrads.ac.uk Blackandasiangrads.ac.uk 
			 Top Jobs on the Net The Guardian Just Engineers Jobhunter.com Jobhunter.org.uk 
			 Doctor Jobs The Guardian The Guardian Just Engineers New Scientist 
			 The Guardian New Scientist Prospects Finalist The Guardian The Economist 
			 The Times Newscientistjobs The Guardian Prospects Finalist Real World (Finance) 
			 Prospects Today The Guardian Metro The Economist Prospects Directory 
			 The Guardian The Economist Prospects Finalist Real World (Finance) Metro 
			 New Scientist Prospects Public Sector Prospects Public Service The Guardian Prospects Public Service 
			 Prospects Today Prospects Finance Prospects Directory Metro Hobsons Directory 
			  The Guardian Hobsons Directory Prospects Finalists Prospects Directory 
			  The Times  Prospects Public Service  
			  Prospects Directory  Hobsons Directory  
			Prospects Directory  
			Milkround.co.uk  
		
	
	
		Table Four—Cost of Fast Stream Adverting
		
			  Costs (£000) Number of posts 
		
		
			 2001–02 104 411 
			 2002–03 89 510 
			 2003–04 67 467 
			 2004–05 81 504 
			 2005–06 (9)35 Scheme still running 
		
	
	(9) Anticipated spend for current financial year: £47,000
	
		Table Two—Recruitment Publications
		
			 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Accountancy Age Accountancy Age Accountancy Age Accounting Technician Accountancy Age 
			 Basingstoke Gazette Bracknell News Accounting Technician Aldershot News Basingstoke Gazette 
			 BIFM Bulletin Camberley News Aldershot News Basingstoke Gazette Bracknell News 
			 Bookseller Computer Weekly Basingstoke Gazette Bracknell News Camberley News 
			 Bracknell News Counsel Bracknell News BPS Memorandum Evening Standard 
			 Camberley News Economist Bristol Evening News Camberley News Guardian 
			 Design Week Ethnic Media Group Bury Free Press Computer Weekly People Management 
			 Eastern Daily Press Evening Standard Camberley News Computing Personnel Today 
			 Economist Financial Times Computer Weekly CWJobs.com Prospect 
			 Ethnic Media Group Guardian Computing Daily Telegraph Sunday Times 
			 European Voice Independent Darlington Echo Eastern Daily Press Times 
			 Evening Standard Job Opportunities Design Week Economist Three Counties Gazette 
			 Guardian Local Government Chronicle Eastern Daily Press Edinburgh Eve News  
			 Metro Pensions Management Economist Ethnic Media Group  
			 Ms London Pensions World Evening Standard Evening Standard  
			 New Statesman People Management Guardian Guardian  
			 Project Manager Today Project Manager Today Job Opportunities IEE Review  
			 Sunday Times Professional Pensions Local Government Chronicle Newcastle Eve Chronic.  
			 Supply Management South London Press Marketing Week People Management  
			 Times Sunday Times Newcastle Eve Chronic. Sunday Times  
			 Yorkshire Eve Press Thames Valley Weekly People Management Times  
			 Yorkshire Post Times Professional Pensions Yorkshire Evening Post  
			  Yorkshire Eve Press South London Press   
			  9 to 5 Sunday Times   
			   Thames Valley Weekly   
			   Times   
			   Yorkshire Evening Post

Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  if he will list the advertising campaigns undertaken by his Department in each year since 1997–98;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W, on Government communications, what the (a) initial budget and (b) final expenditure was for each advertising campaign that his Department has undertaken in each year since 1997–98.

Jim Murphy: For details of recruitment advertising undertaken by the Department, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) on recruitment advertising on 14 February 2006, Official Report, columns 1914–15W.
	The Cabinet Office has devolved responsibility for occasional small-scale advertising in support of policies to management units. Records are not held centrally for this activity and to provide that information would result in disproportionate costs.
	Details of significant campaigns placed through the Central Office of Information with spend are shown in the table. To provide details of individual management units initial budgets that are not held centrally would result in disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Campaign Spend (£) 
		
		
			 1999–2000 Millennium Bug—Public Awareness 4,303,551 
			 2000–01 Chartermark 34,996 
			 2001–02 UK-Online 2,491,500 
			 2001–02 Foot and Mouth—Teletext 48,263 
			 2002–03 UK-Online Get Started" 1,000,000 
			 2004–05 Preparing for Emergencies (10)2,000,000 
			 2004–05 Direct Government advertising 306, 471 
		
	
	(10) This was the Cabinet Office contribution to a cross government campaign.

Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the (a) press office staff costs were and (b) advertising expenditure was for the National School of Government for 2005–06; and what he expects the costs to be in 2006–07.

Jim Murphy: Cabinet Office press office is a centrally run operation for the whole of Cabinet Office providing general media support. It has not allocated specific press officers to the National School of Government.
	The National School of Government's estimate for the total expenditure on advertising for 2005–06 is £125,000, of which £35,000 relates to publicising specific programmes and £50,000 is on recruitment advertising predominantly where that is required to meet the requirements of fair and open competition when replacing staff who have left. The estimated spend is based on actual expenditure incurred up to and including December plus an estimate of expenditure from January to March 2006. The data includes expenditure on advertising for CMPS for the period prior to the establishment of the National School of Government on 20 June 2005. CMPS was incorporated into the National School of Government.
	The Cabinet Office and the National School of Government are currently planning budgets and resources for next year so I am unable to forecast the National School of Government's advertising expenditure for 2006–07 at present.

Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W, on Government communications, if he will list each occurrence of recruitment advertising for specialist placements within the Government Information and Development Centre for each year since 1997–98; and what the total cost was in each year.

Jim Murphy: External advertising for communication specialists in the former Government Information and Communication Service centre in the Cabinet Office (including the Development Centre) was only used for the recruitment of the permanent secretary government communication in November 2003 and for a range of posts in the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU). The cost of advertising the permanent secretary post was £13,800. MMU recruitments since 1997 included two new unit heads and a number of media monitors; there are no separate records of expenditure on these.

Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the publications in which his Department has placed paid advertising in each year since 1997–98.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office does not hold central records of the specific publications in which all paid advertising has been placed and to collect and collate that information would result in disproportionate costs.
	I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him today which provided details of paid advertising for Cabinet Office recruitment from 1 April 2004 when Cabinet Office systems were created to record this particular area of advertising.
	When placing advertising the Cabinet Office takes advice from the Central Office of Information or recruitment agency involved.

Civil Servants (Retirement Age)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the retirement age is for civil servants; and whether his Department plans to change it.

Jim Murphy: Departments and agencies are free to set the normal retirement age for their own staff below the senior civil service subject only to the requirement that the minimum age at which civil servants can retire with full superannuation benefits is 60.
	Against this background, over 80 per cent. of the civil service now has the option to remain in work until 65, and a further 11 per cent. has the option to remain in work on short service concessions.
	The normal retirement age for the senior civil service is 60. However, heads of departments and agency chief executives have the flexibility to retain members of the senior civil service beyond 60 if they judge it to be in the public interest and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.
	Legislation which will come into force in October 2006 will result in the normal retirement age in the United Kingdom being 65. As a result employers will not have to justify the decision to retire an employee after that age. This will be subject to review after five years. To ensure compliance, the civil service is currently quality proofing its terms and conditions in this area to raise the retirement age of all its employees, including the senior civil service, to 65. Those areas of the civil service which consider that they need to maintain a retirement age below 65 will only be able to do so if they can objectively justify this by reference to particular circumstances. It is anticipated, however, that this will be a negligible figure against the total number of permanent civil servants.

Civil Service Nurseries

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the total cost to public funds of civil service nursery schemes was in 2004–05.

Jim Murphy: Individual Departments and agencies are responsible for their own decisions on the child care support they offer to their staff and figures on expenditure are not held centrally. Departments provide a range of support to staff including on-site nurseries and provision of child care vouchers.

COI Quinquennial Review

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the last Central Office of Information quinquennial review took place; how much it cost to complete; when the next quinquennial review is scheduled to take place; what estimate he has made of the likely cost; and what (a) recommendations and (b) changes resulted from each Central Office of Information quinquennial review since 1996–97.

Jim Murphy: The last quinquennial review of the Central Office of Information (COI) reported in February 2002.
	The review team was made up of staff from the Cabinet Office, the Office of Government Commerce, HM Treasury, COI and the Advisory Committee on Advertising. The cost of the time that officials spent on the review was not recorded.
	The next quinquennial review has not yet been scheduled. All key performance measures are reviewed at least annually.
	The recommendations of the 2002 review were:
	Recommendation 1: COI should operate as a Department, an agency and a trading fund for the next five years;
	Recommendation 2: The Regional News Network (RNN) and News Distribution Service should be relocated from 1 April 2002 to the GIGS in Cabinet Office. The RNN should also report at a regional level to the Government Offices and continue to work closely with COI;
	Recommendation 3: COI should be responsible for developing research on strategic communications issues in consultation with Government stakeholders. Additional central funding should be allocated to COI for this research, subject to the 2002 Spending Review;
	Recommendation 4: A new function to monitor and to advise on the co-ordination of Government marketing campaigns should be developed in COI and centrally funded, subject to the 2002 Spending Review. The chief executive of COI should undertake a new role as the Government's chief adviser on Marketing Communications and Information campaigns reporting to the Prime Minister's Director of Communications;
	Recommendation 5: COI should establish an Audit and Risk Committee by 1 April 2002;
	Recommendation 6: COI should continue to develop and test new and existing performance measures, including customer satisfaction, buying and campaign effectiveness and sustainable development; COI should continue to improve its services to customers by introducing new marketing materials, new internal structures and by developing a clear policy for the use of direct services.
	All of the recommendations have been implemented or subsumed into the recommendations of the Phillis Review.

Departmental Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on (a) the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, (b) the Strategy Unit, (c) the Office of Public Service Reform, (d) the e-Government Unit, (e) the Policy Hub and (f) UK Gov Talk in each year since 1996–97 or the date of establishment; and what the estimated expenditure for 2005–06 is.

Jim Murphy: Resource expenditure for the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit (PMDU), the Strategy Unit (SU), the Office of Public Service Reform (OPSR), the e-Government Unit (EGU) and UK Gov Talk in each year since their establishment and the estimated expenditure for 2005–06 are shown in the table.
	The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit was set up in 2001; the Strategy Unit was set up in 2002 and the Office of Public Service Reform was set up in 2001 (and disbanded in January 2006). The EGU was formed in May 2004; the former Office of the e-Envoy had different functions and responsibilities, and its costs have not been included. The UK Policy Hub was set up in 2002 as part of a wider information technology Knowledge Management Project and its costs are not identified separately year-by-year. However, its cost from inception to January 2004 was £207,000 excluding VAT. Since 1 February 2004, the site has been located on the Cabinet Office server with the associated costs absorbed within general Cabinet Office IT costs.
	
		£000
		
			  Net expenditure figures 
			  PMDU SU OPSR EGU UK Gov Talk 
		
		
			 2001–02 955 n/a n/a n/a 179 
			 2002–03 3,106 7,110 5,704 n/a 46 
			 2003–04 3,581 4,676 3,496 n/a 66 
			 2004–05 3,675 4,174 2,149 28,473 52 
			 2005–06(11) 5,211 3,405 1,071 16,943 25 
		
	
	(11) Estimated spend shown for 2005–06 is based on expenditure incurred up and including January plus an estimate of expenditure for February and March 2006.
	Note:
	Figures shown are for total resource spend less any income.

Departmental Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the estimated expenditure for the Government Communication Group is for 2005–06.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 201W.

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the members of the (a) Strategy Unit and (b) Prime Minister's Delivery Unit; and how many are in each pay band.

Jim Murphy: The Strategy Unit has 49.8 full time equivalent staff as at 31 January 2006. The breakdown by pay bands is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Pay band Number 
		
		
			 Senior Civil Service 2 1 
			 Senior Civil Service 1 9.6 
			 Band A 19.8 
			 Band B2 7 
			 B—Faststream 2 
			 Band B1 9 
			 Band C2 1.4 
			 Total FTE 49.8 
		
	
	The total of 49.8 FTE excludes members of Strategy Unit staff who are on loan to other Government Departments, and are being paid by other Government Departments for the duration of the loan. There are six full time equivalents on loan to other Government Departments.
	The total also excludes individuals who have been given an offer of employment with the Strategy Unit but were not in post on 31 January 2006. There were 5.8 full time equivalents yet to take up posts as at 31 January 2006.
	The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit's agreed staffing profile for 2005–06 is set out in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southend West (Mr. Amess) on 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2178W. Ian Watmore was appointed head of the unit at Permanent Secretary level on 9 January 2006.

E-government

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in implementing the e-transformation agenda in North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	31 December 2005 was the target date for the achievement of e-enablement of local authority services under the Local e-Government Programme. The North Yorkshire authorities reported the following BVPI 157 results by this date:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Craven 99.38 
			 Hambleton 99.36 
			 Harrogate 97.48 
			 Richmondshire 100 
			 Ryedale 96.79 
			 Scarborough 99.93 
			 Selby 99.19 
			 North Yorkshire 100

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 666W, on Government communications, what the total cost has been of implementing the recommendations of the Phillis Review of Government communications; and how many new posts have been created in implementing the recommendations of the Phillis Review of Government communications.

Jim Murphy: Since the Phillis report was published in January 2004 the focus of the GIGS centre and then the Government Communication Group has been on implementing the recommendations of the independent Phillis Review of Government Communication. Their total expenditure (including on staff) in the 2004–05 financial year was £1.3 million and to date in 2005–06 £1.44 million
	Four new posts have been created in strategic communication and marketing, as recommended by Phillis, and one new post to support the permanent secretary.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 666W, on Government communications, what was the total cost to his Department of moving the Government News Network to the Central Office of Information; and how many new posts in each salary band have been created by moving the Government News Network to the Central Office of Information.

Jim Murphy: The cost of moving the Government News Network to the Central Office of Information was less than £16,000. The move did not create any new posts.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, columns 666–67W, on Government communications, how much of the running costs of the Central Office of Information were accounted for by (a) staff costs, (b) office costs and (c) other costs; and how much the Central Office of Information spent on (i) consultants, (ii) contractors, (ii) agencies and (iv) other external service providers in each year.

Jim Murphy: Running costs for the Central Office of Information in each year since 1996–97 are shown in the following table.
	
		£000
		
			  Staff costs Office costs Other costs Total costs 
		
		
			 1996–97 20,062 3,907 1,915 25,884 
			 1997–98 9,850 3,330 1,996 15,176 
			 1998–99 11,053 2,783 2,128 15,964 
			 1999–2000 12,558 2,658 2,721 17,937 
			 2000–01 13,316 3,482 3,991 20,789 
			 2001–02 17,078 2,931 3,470 23,479 
			 2002–03 19,646 2,966 2,893 25,505 
			 2003–04 17,514 2,637 2,756 22,907 
			 2004–05 19,779 3,288 2,781 25,848 
		
	
	Consultants costs, as included in other costs in the table, were:
	
		
			  Costs 
		
		
			 1996–97 (12)— 
			 1997–98 66,395 
			 1998–99 30,972 
			 1999–2000 17,468 
			 2000–01 48,980 
			 2001–02 52,170 
			 2002–03 18,886 
			 2003–04 259,580 
			 2004–05 153,788 
		
	
	(12) Not separately coded and is, therefore, unavailable.
	All of the services that resulted in other costs, as shown in the table, were provided by external service providers. A breakdown between contractors, agencies and others could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, columns 849–50W, on Government communications, how many staff are employed by the (a) Government Communications Network and (b) Government Communications Group, broken down by pay band; how much his Department has spent on each since it was established; and what the projected budget of each is for 2006–07.

Jim Murphy: The Government Communication Network is a virtual organisation and does not employ staff. It is a professional network which is open to all those working in communications across government. It is administered by Government Communication Group (GCG) staff.
	Government Communication Group staff numbered by grade in January 2006 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Grade Staff in GCG (full-time equivalent) 
		
		
			 Permanent Secretary 1 
			 Senior Civil Service 6.7 
			 Band A 4.4 
			 TIS3 3.1 
			 B2 6.8 
			 TIS2 9 
			 B1 11 
			 C2 1 
			 Total 43 
		
	
	This includes 15 staff in the Media Monitoring Unit and 6.6 staff working on customer focus issues who were transferred to GCG in January 2006 from the former Office of Public Services Reform within the Cabinet Office.
	GCG was established in June 2005 and staff costs from then up to and including January 2006 were £1.3 million. Budgets and therefore staff costs for 2006–07 have not yet been set.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W, on Government communications, how many (a) press officers and (b) public relations staff were allocated to each unit within his Department in each year since 1997–98.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office has always had a dedicated press office and manages its press operations centrally. Press officers are allocated primarily according to Government policies, themes and emerging issues and not allocated to specific units. Cabinet Office does not employ public relations staff. When this function has been necessary the work is contracted through the Central Office for Information.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W, on Government communications, what the reasons were for the increased number of posts advertised by his Department between 1998–99 and 2000–01.

Jim Murphy: The increase in the number of posts advertised between 1998–99 and 2000–01 is mainly attributable to the structural changes within the department in response to taking forward the Government's delivery and reform agenda.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W, on Government communications, what his Department's total expenditure was in 2001–02 on the UK Online advertising campaign; and how much was accounted for by (a) in-house staff costs, (b) contractors' costs, (c) consultants' costs, (d) agency costs, (e) print advertising, (f) radio advertising, (g) television advertising, (h) online advertising and (i) other advertising.

Jim Murphy: The total expenditure was £2,491,500. Of this £2,206,126 was spent on TV media and £285,374 was for agency production costs.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W, on Government communications, how much of the expenditure on advertising in each year since 1997–98 was accounted for by (a) print advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) television advertising, (d) online advertising, (e) other advertising, (f) in-house staff costs, (g) contractors' costs, (h) consultants' costs and (i) agency costs.

Jim Murphy: Expenditure broken down into the categories requested is not separately identifiable on the department's accounting system and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, columns 666–67W, on Government communications, how many staff are employed by the Central Office of Information, broken down by salary band; and what the (a) running costs and (b) staffing costs of the Central Office of Information were as a percentage of turnover in each year since 1996–97.

Jim Murphy: The number of staff in post (including part-time) at 31 January 2006, broken down by salary band, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Administrative Assistant/SGB2 14 
			 Administrative Officer/PS/SB1 48 
			 Executive Officer/Assistant Information Officer 68 
			 Higher Executive Officer/Information Officer 185 
			 Senior Executive Officer/Senior Information Officer 188 
			 Grade 7 79 
			 Grade 6 23 
			 SCS Grade 1 12 
			 SCS Grade 2 1 
			 Total 618 
		
	
	Of these, 141 are in the Government News Network.
	Running costs and staff costs as a percentage of turnover are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  As percentage turnover: 
			  Running costs Staff costs 
		
		
			 1996–97 20.6 15.9 
			 1997–98 13.7 8.9 
			 1998–99 9.2 6.4 
			 1999–2000 9.0 6.3 
			 2000–01 7.0 4.5 
			 2001–02 8.6 6.3 
			 2002–03 9.9 7.6 
			 2003–04 7.4 5.7 
			 2004–05 7.8 6.0 
		
	
	Excluding exceptional items (primarily redundancy costs following the decision to withdraw from the provision of some services) the 1996–97 figures for running costs and staff costs as a percentage of turnover were 13.8 per cent. and 9.2 per cent. respectively.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department has spent on websites for (a) Government Communications Network and (b) Government Communications Group.

Jim Murphy: The cost of establishing, developing and maintaining the Government Communication Network (GCN) website to end-January 2006 was £133,975 (excluding VAT). This includes the cost of setting up the site, updating its content and delivering communications and services to GCN members across Government.
	These on-line services include an internal job market for professional communicators, a cutting-edge self-assessment skills framework, a directory of external training courses and advice on propriety and other key issues.
	The site continues to be very popular with those who use it. Recent research showed that 76 per cent. of GCN members find it useful and October 2005 it has averaged more than 150,000 page impressions per month.
	The Government Communication Group does not have a website.

Government Communications

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the total cost has been of creating the (a) Government Communications Network and (b) Government Communications Group.

Jim Murphy: The external costs incurred in creating the Government Communication Network in January 2005 were £40,487 (excluding VAT).
	Government Communication Group was created in June 2005 using existing Cabinet Office staff and so incurred no external cost.

National School of Government

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent on the National School of Government since its launch; and what the estimated expenditure is for 2005–06.

Jim Murphy: The National School of Government was launched on 20 June 2005. The National School recovers its costs through charges for services provided. Net income in the period from 1 June to 31 January was £173,000.
	The estimated net expenditure for 2005–06 is nil.

Press Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many press officers have been allocated to the private office of each Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster since 1996–97.

Jim Murphy: Cabinet Office press office is a centrally run operation for the whole of Cabinet Office providing general media support. It has not allocated specific press officers to the private office of each Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster since 1996–97.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting civil service work force reductions targets in the Central Office of Information.

Jim Murphy: No civil service work force reduction targets have been set for the Central Office of Information (COI).
	As a common service organisation, concentrating expertise to avoid a wasteful duplication of specialists throughout Whitehall and taking advantage of centralised purchasing, and operating as a trading fund, COI has had, and has met, annual ministerial financial and efficiency targets.
	COI's income is derived from the charges that it makes to its public sector clients and is subject to the demands that clients make upon it. It must manage its resources, including the number and cost of staff, to achieve its ministerial target of breakeven, taking into account the annual efficiency target also set for it (for 2005–06 the target is to reduce the unit cost of output by 2.5 per cent.).

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what targets he has set for the Central Office of Information to achieve (a) efficiency savings and (b) civil service work force reductions.

Jim Murphy: The Central Office of Information (COI) is required to achieve an efficiency improvement, which is set. For 2005–06 that target is to achieve a reduction in its unit cost of output of 2.5 per cent.
	No civil service work force reduction targets have been set for the COI.
	As a common service organisation, concentrating expertise to avoid a wasteful duplication of specialists throughout Whitehall and taking advantage of centralised purchasing, and operating as a trading fund, COI has had, and has met, annual ministerial financial and efficiency targets.
	COI's income is derived from the charges that it makes to its public sector clients and is subject to the demands that clients make upon it. It must manage its resources, including the number and cost of staff, to achieve its ministerial target of breakeven, taking into account the annual efficiency target also set for it (for 2005–06 the target is to reduce the unit cost of output by 2.5 per cent.).

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what total efficiency savings were achieved by the Central Office of Information in 2004–05; and whether these count towards current efficiency savings targets.

Jim Murphy: In 2004–05, the Central Office of Information (COI) improved its efficiency by achieving a unit cost reduction of 3.6 per cent.
	COI also achieved procurement savings from the use of its supplier framework agreements. Media procurement savings of £120 million were made in 2004–05 and reported in COI's annual report and accounts.
	Additionally, COI extended its price benchmarking activities to capture savings from its other specialist services. The total savings identified amounted to £156 million, of which £120 million was recorded by the Office of Government Commerce against current efficiency savings targets.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much of current efficiency savings targets for the Central Office for Information are to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent.

Jim Murphy: The Central Office of Information (COI) procures services from the private sector for its public sector clients.
	The savings that it achieves (for example, a saving of 42.1 per cent. on media buying in 2004–05) are reflected in the charges made to clients.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much of the agreed efficiency target for the Cabinet Office set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent.

Jim Murphy: All of the Cabinet Office's efficiency savings are cashable.
	The savings made are redeployed as necessary to ensure that departmental priorities are adequately resourced.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the target level of employment expressed as full-time equivalents is in the Central Office of Information by April 2008.

Jim Murphy: No target level of employment for April 2008 has been set for the Central Office of Information (COI).
	As a common service organisation, concentrating expertise to avoid a wasteful duplication of specialists throughout Whitehall and taking advantage of centralised purchasing, and operating as a trading fund, COI has had, and has met, annual ministerial financial and efficiency targets.
	COI's income is derived from the charges that it makes to its public sector clients and is subject to the demands that clients make upon it. It must manage its resources, including the number and cost of staff, to achieve its ministerial target of breakeven, taking into account the annual efficiency target also set for it (for 2005–06 the target is to reduce the unit cost of output by 2.5 per cent.).

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what total efficiency savings were achieved by the Cabinet Office in 2004–05; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for the Cabinet Office set out in the 2004 spending review.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office achieved 1.2 million in efficiency savings in 2004–05. These savings form part of our agreed efficiency target for 2007–08.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any (a) employee of his Department, (b) person engaged by his Department as a consultant and (c) paid adviser to his Department is a member of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The information requested is not collected.

Strategy Unit

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what strategic reviews are being undertaken by the Strategy Unit.

Jim Murphy: The Strategy Unit provides a range of strategy and policy advice to the Prime Minister on domestic policy issues. The work of the unit includes a mix of both confidential advice to Ministers and joint work with Departments which is published through a broad range of outputs including Green and White Papers. Current work includes: joint work with DfES on further education; joint work on the energy review with DTI and other Departments; on-going work on NHS reform with DH; support for ODPM on the local government White Paper due in the summer; and, with DWP, supporting the re-design of the child support system to be led by David Henshaw. The unit is also currently setting up a small team to address cross-cutting public service reform issues following the transfer of functions from the former Office of Public Service Reform.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many poppy fields have been (a) identified and (b) destroyed by UK forces in Afghanistan in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	There was no system in place to identify poppy fields for destruction between 2001 and late 2003. Since late 2003, however, the UK has supported the Afghans in identifying 35–50,000 hectares of poppy cultivation annually. Areas identified for possible eradication are determined by a number of factors, including the security situation and the availability of alternative livelihoods.
	On the destruction, or eradication, of poppy fields, the UK has provided and continues to provide financial and logistical support to a number of Afghan law enforcement forces. Afghanistan's first comprehensive eradication programme was initiated during the 2004–05 growing season. Final eradication figures in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey for 2005 can be found on the UNODC website at http://www.unodc.org/unodc/index.html.
	UK military forces deployed under International Security Assistance Force can contribute to the broader counter-narcotics effort by providing the secure environment in which the rule of law can be applied; reconstruction can take place; and legal rural livelihoods can be developed. They are not there to take direct action against the drugs trade, including the eradication of poppy fields.

Alternative Livelihoods Programme

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list occasions on which his Department attempted to maintain an alternative livelihoods programme in a country experiencing an ongoing conflict.

Hilary Benn: DFID's only current bilateral support for alternative livelihoods (i.e. alternatives to drug crop production) is in Afghanistan. Here, DFID's alternative livelihoods programme was developed substantially after full-blown conflict ended in 2001, although terrorist violence continues in parts of the country where we are supporting the Government to promote alternatives to poppy production. DFID also supports a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) project in Myanmar, which aims to support the local population in meeting their food security needs following the banning of opium production.
	DFID is currently considering assistance to help improve social services and provide livelihoods opportunities for poor people in the southern poor districts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab in Pakistan. These areas either experience low intensity terrorist violence or share a boundary with conflict areas.
	In past years (projects starting in the 1990s), DFID supported alternative livelihoods programmes in Pakistan (£4.4 million) that aimed to reduce poppy cultivation, and in Bolivia (£720,000) and Peru (£3.2 million) that aimed to reduce coca production, including projects led by UN drugs control agencies. A further £16 million was provided in the 1980s and 90s to broader agricultural research projects in non coca-growing areas of Bolivia of which some 10–20 per cent. may have had an impact on coca-growing households in adjacent areas. Some of these programmes coincided with periods of conflict and terrorist violence.

Alternative Livelihoods Programme

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) success criteria, (b) the budget for each of the next five years and (c) the expected duration is for the alternative livelihoods programme in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Afghanistan is the only country where DFID has a bilateral alternative livelihoods programme (i.e. alternatives to drug crop production). The Afghan Government launched its updated National Drug Control Strategy at the London Conference in January which sets out the Afghan Governments policies and plans for tackling Afghanistan's narcotics trade for the coming three years and highlights four key priorities. These are (i) targeting the trafficker and trade, (ii) strengthening and diversifying legal livelihoods, (iii) developing effective counter-narcotics institutions and (iv) demand reduction. The UK has a three year plan to support this and DFID leads on UK support for alternative livelihoods.
	Between 2003–04 and 2005–06 DFID's spending on alternative livelihoods in Afghanistan has increased ten fold. The forecast spend for this year is in the region of £45 million and we hope to maintain similar levels of funding in future years. The DFID livelihoods programme will support the Afghan Government's efforts to mitigate the impact of those who have lost their livelihoods, through the expansion of key Afghan Government National Programmes into priority poppy growing provinces; support programmes to improve farm and off-farm opportunities for poor Afghan farmers and labourers to access legal income from sustainable legal employment, credit productive assets such as infrastructure and social assets such as education and health services, and markets for legal goods; help generate an improved policy and planning environment for alternative livelihood programmes; and support greater financial and technical support from other donors, delivered in a more coherent manner in line with the Afghan Government's policies and plans.
	The success criterion for alternative livelihoods is a 10 per cent. year-on-year increase in uptake of legal livelihood opportunities. However success is highly dependant on progress with other strands of the National Drug Control Strategy, in particular improving the capacity of counter-narcotics institutions, law enforcement capacity and success in targeting the trafficker and trade.
	The experience from other countries shows that achieving sustainable reductions in drug cultivation takes a long-time. There are no quick solutions. We will continue to support the development of alternative livelihoods as long as there is a need to do so to help the Afghan Government achieve its counter-narcotics objectives.

Sudan

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in those regions of Sudan which are subject to the African Union Mission.

Hilary Benn: The African Union Mission in Sudan covers the three states of Darfur (Western, Northern and Southern). Across the whole of Darfur, there are 1.8 million internally displaced people and 3.4 million dependent on humanitarian assistance. The priority is to provide assistance and protection for them, and to find a political solution that will allow people to return home and rebuild their lives.
	Darfur remains highly dependent on food aid. Although this year there is expected to be above average food production, the ability of Darfuris to bring in the harvest depends on security which remains extremely fragile in many areas. Even with a good harvest, an estimated 3 million people in Darfur will still require food aid.
	The massive scale of the humanitarian relief effort in Darfur has, however, had a major impact on malnutrition rates, dropping to almost half what they were in the previous year. Likewise the recent WHO Darfur survey showed mortality rates have, in cases, reduced by two-thirds since August 2004.
	The UK is the 2nd largest bilateral humanitarian donor in Darfur (after the US), providing over £96 million since September 2003. These funds have meant that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people have been provided with shelter, food, water and basic health care.
	However, the situation still remains extremely fragile. I am particularly concerned about the impact that the deteriorating security situation is having on humanitarian operations, especially in South and West Darfur. If aid were reduced because of conflict, insecurity or funding shortages, humanitarian indicators would deteriorate very quickly. That is why improved security and a negotiated political agreement in Abuja are urgently needed.

Sudan

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with (a) the African Union and (b) the UN on the provision of humanitarian support and protection for internally displaced people in Darfur, Sudan (i) up to March, (ii) after September and (c) in the intervening period.

Hilary Benn: The UK has been a strong supporter of the African Union (AU) mission in Darfur, providing almost £32 million to date. During my trip to Sudan last week, I announced an additional £20 million in support of the AU mission. The AU has performed well in very challenging circumstances but the deterioration in security in Darfur since the end of 2005 has been marked by an increase in violence and banditry. This change has underlined that a peace support mission will be required for quite some time. This is why the UK supports the proposed transition from an AU force to a UN operation that will be able to provide the long-term stability required. While the final decision on transfer needs to come from the AU, I welcome their agreement in principle on 12 January and the UN's planning for such a contingency. Any timetable for this transition will depend on negotiations at the AU and UN.
	During my visit to both Darfur (El Fasher) and Khartoum last week, I discussed these issues with both the AU (including the new Force Commander) and the UN. I stressed the importance of the AU force continuing to be fully supported and strengthened right up until any transition date. The role the AU plays in providing support to the humanitarian agencies and protecting civilians is critical to the people of Darfur and there cannot be any winding down of effectiveness in anticipation of the UN arriving. The UK, therefore, in addition to providing substantial funding, is encouraging our international partners to maintain and increase their levels of support to the AU. This includes taking forward the recommendations of the December 2005 Joint Assessment Mission which will assist in strengthening the AU's capabilities.
	For the future, we support the need for a strong mandate to enable any UN force to protect the people of Darfur and to assist in the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance. We are in regular discussions with our donor partners, the UN and the AU on how any transition would be managed and how international partners could assist, including planning and logistical support. We will continue to encourage the UN and the AU force to co-ordinate their work, wherever possible.
	To support the UN in their delivery of humanitarian assistance, in Sudan last week I also announced a £40 million UK contribution to the new Common Humanitarian Fund. This fund will allow the UN's Humanitarian Co-ordinator to fund the most important priorities and help to ensure there is greater co-ordination of the humanitarian effort.

Tanzania

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to assist the people of Tanzania in response to food, water and power shortages there.

Hilary Benn: There is considerable suffering in Tanzania owing to the present food insecurity. The Government of Tanzania has made effective use of its Strategic Grain Reserve to deliver grain to vulnerable households, although the continuing drought means this is now under pressure. A Rapid Vulnerability Assessment (RVA), conducted by the Government in response to the food and water situation was circulated on 13 February. The RVA found that 3.8 million Tanzanians need food assistance to the tune of 100,000 metric tonnes up to the next expected harvest in May. Of those, around 565,000 are considered destitute and need immediate food aid. DFID stands ready to help the Government respond to this situation. We are consulting with other agencies, notably the World Food Programme, to determine the robustness of the RVA and inform decisions on assistance. DFID's response will be based on a proposal received from the Government of Tanzania, outlining what additional resources it needs from donors, and how it would like them delivered. Other donors are also likely to respond to the Government's proposal.
	In addition, should the EC's Humanitarian Organisation (ECHO) decide to provide assistance to the Government in response to the crisis. DFID would contribute as a member state.
	In the longer term, we will be seeking solutions to help reduce vulnerability, through a mix of social protection, such as cash transfer schemes or food for work, and economic opportunities for poorer households to withstand shocks.
	Power generation in Tanzania is likely to be based on hydro and thermal sources, both of which are subject to external influences. DFID provides technical support to a Government power sector reform programme through our support to the Parastatal Sector Reform Commission. DFID also funds technical assistance to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority to encourage private sector investment in power generation and distribution. In the interim, our support to the Government's budget indirectly supports the national electricity utility TANESCO.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Criminality

David Simpson: To ask the Solicitor-General what his definition is of criminality.

Mike O'Brien: The term criminality" refers to conduct that is in breach of the criminal law.

Crown Prosecution Service

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what plans there are to reform the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mike O'Brien: Since 1999, the CPS has been undertaking a significant reform programme, in order to create a world-class prosecuting service that meets the needs of the public and the needs of victims and communities. The reform programme is strengthening the role of the prosecutor and putting victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice process and involves the charging initiative, the prosecutors pledge, changes in work practices and the development of higher advocates.
	The CPS is working with the police and courts, the Office of Criminal Justice Reform, the Home Office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs to reform the criminal justice system, whilst maintaining that independence of decision-making that is the hallmark of British prosecutors. As part of this co-operative approach, the CPS is working with Home Office and other criminal justice agencies colleagues to identify the implications of police restructuring on the CPS and the criminal justice system.

Departmental Energy Costs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Solicitor-General how much was spent by the Law Officers' Department on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 2004–05.

Mike O'Brien: In the financial year 2004–05 the Law Officers' Departments 1 spent the amounts on gas and electricity shown in the following table.
	1 Include the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office which was not set up until 18 April 2005.
	2 CPS will also have paid for some gas and electricity costs by way of service charges to landlords, but these figures are not separately available.
	
		£
		
			 Department Gas Electricity 
		
		
			 Crown Prosecution Service(14) 206,643 1,117,059 
			 Serious Fraud Office 16,500 83,649 
			 Treasury Solicitor's Department 39,822 57,841 
			 HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate 2,417 6,408 
			 Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers 4,979 11,040

Departmental Expenditure

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Solicitor-General how much was spent by the Law Offices on refreshments in each year since 1997.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service does not hold details centrally of how much it spends on refreshments and would incur disproportionate cost to obtain the information. The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was not in being in 2004–05 being set up on 18 April 2005.
	The Serious Fraud Office, Treasury Solicitor's Department (including the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers) and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate incurred the expenditure on refreshments in the following table.
	
		£
		
			 Financial year Serious Fraud Office Treasury Solicitor's Department(13) HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate 
		
		
			 1997–98 7,881 (14)— (15)— 
			 1998–99 6,261 3,237 (15)— 
			 1999–2000 6,703 4,200 (15)— 
			 2000–01 6,036 5,254 (15)— 
			 2001–02 10,439 5,985 1,597 
			 2002–03 9,777 8,131 4,129 
			 2003–04 9,644 8,310 3,261 
			 2004–05 12,081 (16)20,837 3,275 
		
	
	(13) Figures include expenditure by the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers.
	(14) Information is no longer available for 1997–98 and could be recovered only at disproportionate cost.
	(15) HMCPSI was established on 1 October 2000 and separately accounted for from 1 April 2001.
	(16) TSol has explained this by the installation of coffee making machines for staff (£5,000) and changes in the role of the GLS Secretariat occasioning increased refreshment costs for GLS events.
	The figures cover working breakfasts and lunches and refreshments at meetings in addition to official entertainment. All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting".

Departmental Expenditure

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Solicitor-General how many (a) laptops and (b) mobile phones the Law Officers' Department bought in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each category of equipment was in each year.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and HMCPS Inspectorate do not purchase laptops or mobile phones. These are rented respectively from LogicaCMG and Damovo under Public Finance Initiative contracts. CPS entered into the LogicaCMG contract at the end of 2001, which by the end of each financial year in question provided the laptops shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year Standard laptop Lightweight laptop 
		
		
			 2001–02 88 0 
			 2002–03 466 10 
			 2003–04 726 172 
			 2004–05 677 283 
		
	
	At 2006 rates, the monthly service charge per laptop under the LogicaCMG contract is:
	
		
			  Monthly service charge per laptop (£) 
		
		
			 Standard laptop 63.13 
			 Lightweight laptop 87.11 
		
	
	CPS does not hold central records on the use of laptops prior to the LogicaCMG contract.
	CPS does not hold information on mobile phones prior to 1998–99 but the number of phones in circulation during a financial year is given in the following table. The mobile phone contract does not identify cost of phones but covers both rental and call charges.
	
		
			  Financial year Number of phones in circulation throughout the year 
		
		
			 1998–99 131 
			 1999–2000 223 
			 2000–01 280 
			 2001–02 346 
			 2002–03 428 
			 2003–04 494 
			 2004–05 589 
		
	
	The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has purchased the laptops and mobile phones shown in the following table. SFO does not hold records of purchases in individual years prior to 1999–2000; nor of the cost of the separate purchase of laptops or mobile phones and to extract this information would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Financial year Number of laptop additions(17) Number of mobile phone additions 
		
		
			 Pre 1999 22 15 
			 1999–2000 8 5 
			 2000–01 3 17 
			 2001–02 76 7 
			 2002–03 90 1 
			 2003–04 175 5 
			 2004–05 31 8 
			 2005–06 57 23 
		
	
	(17) Represents additions to stock but others will have been disposed off over time as they became obsolete etc does not identify cost of phones but covers both rental and call charges.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department has purchased new each year the laptops and mobile phones shown in the following table. Costs are provided for new laptops since 1998–99. Information on the costs of new mobile phones each year and laptops before 1998–99 is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of new laptops Cost (£) Number of new mobiles 
		
		
			 1997–98 (18)— (18)— 11 
			 1998–99 (18)— (18)— 12 
			 1999–2000 5 4,177 17 
			 2000–01 — — 20 
			 2001–02 6 5,110 20 
			 2002–03 23 31,764 26 
			 2003–04 47 80,667 22 
			 2004–05 26 28,446 30 
			 2005–06 15 28,830 18 
		
	
	The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers has purchased the laptops shown in the following table. Records are not available prior to 1999–2000.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of laptops Cost (£) 
		
		
			 1999–2000 2 3,770 
			 2000–01 0 — 
			 2001–02 2 4,023 
			 2002–03 4 6,918 
			 2003–04 0 — 
			 2004–05 0 — 
		
	
	Mobile phones are provided as part of a contract with Vodafone which covers rental and charges.

Departmental Expenditure

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Solicitor-General how much his Department has spent on IT systems in each year since 1997; what the purpose of each system is; what the outturn against planned expenditure of each system was; and what the outturn time for implementation against planned time was.

Mike O'Brien: The expenditure of the Law Officers' Departments 1 on IT systems since 1997, where figures are available is shown in the following table 1.
	1 Include the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office but this office was not set up until 18 April 2005.
	
		£000
		
			 Financial year Crown Prosecution Service and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Serious Fraud Office Treasury Solicitor's Office Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers 
		
		
			 1997–98 (18)— 560 (18)— (18)— 
			 1998–99 (18)— 1,303 (18)— (18)— 
			 1999–2000 4,618 1,331 (18)— (18)— 
			 2000–01 13,358 1,815 (18)— (18)— 
			 2001–02 16,311 2,381 (18)— (18)— 
			 2002–03 14,707 2,793 1,835 201 
			 2003–04 29,013 2,934 2,412 240 
			 2004–05 42,998 3,175 2,416 179 
		
	
	(18) Figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The IT systems on which the above expenditure was incurred, their respective share of costs in the years in question and purpose are shown in the following tables and notes. It has not been possible to identify out-turn against planned expenditure nor the outturn time for implementation against planned time for each system without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		Crown Prosecution Service -- £000
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 COMPASS Programme (PFI with LogicaCMG) — — — 13,528 25,827 38,516 
			 Connect Programme 787 9,710 11,534 23 — — 
			 Payroll and HR system(19) 519 875 569 — — 1,308 
			 Counsel Fee Data Processing(19) 126 118 104 — — — 
			 CIS(19) 80 318 168 37 — — 
			 FARMS — — — 508 826 2,076 
			 Ross 294 294 294 — — — 
			 Miscellaneous 2,811 2,043 3,643 612 2,360 1,098 
		
	
	(19) Payroll and HR system, Counsel fee Data Processing, CIS. The costs of the Payroll and HR system, Counsel Fee Data Processing and CIS were incorporated into the COMPASS contract in 2002–03 (CIS in mid 2002–03).
	The purpose of each IT system is:
	The COMPASS Programme: a 10 year Public Finance Initiative (PFI) partnership between the CPS and LogicaCMG to modernise IT services within the CPS. The COMPASS Programme has delivered nationally:
	A case management system (COMPASS CMS)
	A management information system (COMPASS MIS)
	A modern IT infrastructure for the Service
	A Witness Management System (WMS)
	There has been expenditure on IT set up costs to enable the Glidewell recommendations and Charging Programme (including CPS Direct) to be implemented and allow Crown Prosecution Service personnel access to systems in remote sites such as police premises, courts and prosecutors' homes in order to provide an out of hours service.
	The Connect Programme: to provide local area networks in each of the 42 CPS Areas; and to provide all staff with an IT device on their desk and the associated training.
	Payroll and Human Resources Systems: to record changes and pay all CPS staff. The Human Resources database is used to record the numbers and locations of all staff and provides career history details for each member of staff.
	Counsel fee data processing: in October 2001 the CPS introduced a new fee scheme and started to capture data in-house using an application called 'Parity'. Parity is now managed under the contract with LogicaCMG.
	Corporate Information System (CIS): one of the Service's strategic information systems, containing management information on performance indicators, finance, manpower/court sessions, payroll, higher court advocate usage and activity based costs.
	FARMS: stands for the Finance and Accounting Record Management System. It updated the older Ross system (described as follows) and allows for the recording of all resource accounting transactions for the CPS throughout England and Wales (over 300 users) in accordance with HM Treasury requirements to produce accrual based accounts.
	Ross: recorded the cash accounting transactions of the CPS prior to the introduction of FARMS.
	Miscellaneous: covers a combination of smaller systems that could be disaggregated only at disproportionate cost.
	Serious Fraud Office
	The costs shown for the Serious Fraud Office in table 1 all relate to a central IT system that supports the organisation and underpins the delivery of departmental business. Within the overall system there are sub- systems for financial and document management and DOCMAN is an evidence management system that directly supports casework.
	
		Treasury Solicitor's Department -- £
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 On Line Desktop Intranet System Implementation (20)14,180 (21)1,175 854,231 
			 EDRJVI—Electronic, Document and Records Management System Implementation 180,478 159,310 — 
			 Network Expansion/Installation to building 617 — — 
			 Groupwise Upgrade—Email System Upgrade 14,615 — — 
			 CFACS—Financial System Implementation 17,043 — — 
			 Personnel System Implementation 45,276 — — 
			 Security—IT Security (BS7799) Implementation 7,181 23,378 52,499 
			 Internet Systems Implementation 31,448 — — 
			 Remote Access—System Implementation 77,309 — — 
			 Windows 2000—IT Platform Upgrade from windows 95 35,741 — — 
		
	
	(20) Phase 1.
	(21) Phase 2 enhancement.

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Solicitor-General how many job advertisements were placed by the Law Officers' Departments (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what (i) total and (ii) average cost in each case.

Mike O'Brien: I am answering this question on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Serious Fraud Office, the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and HMCPS Inspectorate. The information available is shown in the following table. Where information is not available it could be located only at disproportionate cost.
	In addition to advertising in the press, Departments use other websites such as the GLS website, the civil service recruitment gateway and JobCentre Plus, all of which are free of charge.
	
		
			 Department (a) Total campaigns (b) Number of newspaper/print campaigns (c) Online/website campaigns (i) Total cost (£) (ii) Average cost print (£) 
		
		
			 Serious Fraud Office  
			 1997 5 5 0 2,374 474 
			 1998 11 11 0 39,664 3,606 
			 1999 7 5 2 8,348 1,314 
			 2000 10 10 2 31,789 2,371 
			 2001 15 14 1 54,175 3,869 
			 2002 17 17 0 35,817 2,106 
			 2003 10 10 2 16,229 1,623 
			 2004 25 21 4 25,942 1,235 
			 2005 22 16 6 15,438 965 
			   
			 Treasury Solicitor's Department   
			 2003 7 7 0 80,790 11,540 
			 2004 6 6 0 14,390 2,400 
			 2005 (up to November 2005) 3 3 2 24,290 7,215 
			   
			 Crown Prosecution Service   
			 2005 — 269 269 367,986.50 1,367.97 
			   
			 HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate(22) — — — — — 
			   
			 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office(23) 8 2 — 9,009.35 — 
		
	
	(22) HMCPSI does not keep specific records on this subject and to locate the information within their Department would be at disproportionate cost.
	(23) Since its creation on 18 April 2005.

External Consultants

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Solicitor-General how much his Department has paid since 2004 to external consultants who had previously been employed by the Law Offices in any capacity within the previous five years.

Mike O'Brien: The Serious Fraud Office and Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers have not engaged the services of any consultants whom they formerly employed.
	Other Departments 1 have paid the following amounts to consultants who were formally employed by them within the previous five years:
	1 Includes the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office which was not set up until 18 April 2005
	
		
			 Department £ 
		
		
			 Crown Prosecution Service 118,415 
			 Treasury Solicitor's Department 26,173 
			 HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate 10,986

Freedom of Information Act

Bob Spink: To ask the Solicitor-General what total sum has been received by the Law Officers' Departments for the provision of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in its first year of operation.

Mike O'Brien: The Law Officers' Departments received a total of £135.35 in calendar year 2005 for the provision of information under the Act. This sum entirely related to disbursements charged for processing requests.

Prosecutors (North Yorkshire)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Solicitor-General how many full-time equivalent qualified prosecutors there were in North Yorkshire (a) in 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: In 1997, 23.7 full-time equivalent crown prosecutors were working in North Yorkshire. Today this figure has risen to 28 crown prosecutors. They are supported by two designated caseworkers who present non-contested cases in the magistrates courts. There were no designated caseworkers in 1997.

Staff Bonuses

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General how much each official employed by the Crown Prosecution Service has received in bonuses in each of the last two financial years for which figures are available; and what the grade of each official was.

Mike O'Brien: The following table details bonus payments received by Senior Civil Service officials by grade within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for the last two financial years.
	The CPS also runs a special bonus scheme, under which all CPS staff are eligible for consideration. In the financial year 2004–05, 140 awards were made ranging from £50-£2,500. In the financial year 2005 to date, 95 awards have so far been made ranging from £50 to £3,000. Central records are not held on the grades of staff to which awards were paid under this scheme.
	
		Bonus payments made to Senior Civil Service staff for the last two financial years, by grade
		
			 Payband Amount Number of officials 
		
		
			 2004–05   
			 2 2,707 1 
			 1A 2,648 1 
			 1A 5,000 1 
			 1A 2,500 1 
			 1 2,500 3 
			
			 2005–06   
			 2 9,000 2 
			 2 3,000 2 
			 1A 10,000 1 
			 1A 9,000 2 
			 1A 3,000 2 
			 1 3,000 11 
			 1 9,000 3

Staff Bonuses

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General how many (a) barristers and (b) solicitors employed by the Crown Prosecution Service received a bonus in each of the last two financial years for which figures are available; what the maximum amount payable was for each category in that period; and what the total paid was in each case.

Mike O'Brien: Nine solicitors and six barristers received a special bonus payment for the period 2004–06.
	Of the nine solicitors, two received a special bonus of £3,000 while the remaining seven solicitors received an average payment of circa £300.
	One barrister received a special bonus of £750 with the remaining receiving an average of circa £200.

Staff Bonuses

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General what the maximum bonus available to each official employed by the Crown Prosecution Service is; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Bonus payments for Senior Civil Servants (SCS) are based on a framework set by the Cabinet Office. In the financial year 2004–05, the maximum bonus paid to an individual was £5,000. In the financial year 2005 to date, the maximum bonus paid to an individual was £10,000.
	The CPS also runs a special bonus scheme under which all CPS staff are eligible for consideration. There is no set upper limit for awards paid under this scheme. In the financial year 2004–05, awards at this level ranged from £50 to £2,500. In the financial year 2005 to date, awards at this level ranged from £50 to £3,000.

Treasury Solicitor's Department

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost per hour is of lawyers working in the Treasury Solicitor's Department.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 13 February 2006
	The hourly charging rates for Treasury Solicitors lawyers are £134, £112, £103 and £64 depending on the level seniority and experience.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many antisocial behaviour orders were issued in Swindon in each year between 1998 and 2004;
	(2)  how many antisocial behaviour orders have been breached in each local authority in England in each year between 1997 and 2005.

Hazel Blears: Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) breach data are currently available from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2003 for ASBOs issued since 1 June 2000. However, the data are available at criminal justice system area level only.
	ASBOs were introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and have been available to the courts since 1 April 1999. A table giving a breakdown by the local government authority area in which prohibitions are imposed within ASBOs is available on the Crime Reduction website at www.crimereduction.gov.uk. This table gives data by year since ASBOs were introduced up to 30 June 2005 (latest available).

Anti-terrorism Legislation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested more than once in the UK under anti-terrorism legislation in each of the last seven years.

Charles Clarke: Statistics on the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1974 from 1979 to 2001 are available on the Research and Statistics section of the Home Office website. Statistics on the number of arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the outcomes of those arrests, from 11 September 2001, are also available on the Home Office website.
	Figures for the number of people arrested more than once are not available because the information is not collated in this way.

Asylum/Immigration

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants resident in the Peterborough city council area have broken their bail conditions in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not available.

Asylum/Immigration

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers deported or removed from the United Kingdom in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005 were aged (i) 15, (ii) 16, (iii) 17 and (iv) 18 years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We believe that young people with no basis of stay in the UK can be returned to their countries of origin in a way that is safe, sustainable, and in their best interests.
	Only those young people whose asylum or humanitarian protection claims have been refused, and where their care and support needs have been matched to a tailored package of reception, care and reintegration support, will be returned to their countries of origin.
	We are confident that the measures we are putting in place meet, and supersede, our international obligations to provide access to food, water, shelter, healthcare and basic safety.
	The following table shows the removals of asylum applicants who claim to be 15, 16, 17 and 18 at the date of their removal, for the period 2004 to September 2005.
	Information on the removals of asylum applicants is published quarterly and annually in the regular asylum statistics, available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office RDS website: www.homeoffice. gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Removals, voluntary departures(24), assisted returns, of asylum applicants aged 15, 16, 17 and 18 at date of removal, 2004 and 2005(25) -- Number of persons
		
			  2004 2005 
			 Age of applicants at date of removal Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Q1 Q2 Q3 January to September total 
		
		
			 15 20 20 10 20 75 20 20 15 55 
			 16 20 25 15 25 85 20 30 20 70 
			 17 45 30 50 40 165 35 50 35 125 
			 18 110 100 95 85 390 95 90 95 280 
			 Total 195 175 170 170 710 170 195 165 525 
		
	
	(24) Includes enforced removals, persons departing' voluntarily' following enforcement action initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration.
	(25) Provisional figures.
	Notes:
	1. Figures rounded to the nearest five, with *=1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding.
	2. Figures are likely to overstate because some applicants aged 18 or over claim to be younger on arrival in the United kingdom.
	3. Includes principal applicants and dependants.

Asylum/Immigration

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers in each constituency are receiving section 4 support.

Tony McNulty: The information on section four by constituency is not available.
	Information on section four is published quarterly. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://homeoffice. gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants are receiving national asylum support service subsistence and accommodation support in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Asylum statistics are published quarterly and the most recent published statistics relate to the period from July to September 2005. At the end of September 2005 a total of 53,855 people—comprising asylum seekers, their dependants, and unsuccessful asylum seeking families—were receiving support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Of these, 35,285 were in NASS dispersed accommodation and 2,360 were in initial accommodation awaiting a decision on their claim for support or transfer to their dispersal accommodation. 16,210 were receiving subsistence only support.
	Asylum statistics can be found on the Home Office website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds

Asylum/Immigration

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the waiting time was in the last period for which figures are available for processing applications for leave to remain in Northern Ireland.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not available as data are not collated in this way.

Asylum/Immigration

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been granted leave to remain in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The first two years of the period requested (2001 and 2002) precede accurate data from the current casework database, and statistics are not reliable. The information requested is not therefore available.
	Provisional management information for the remaining three years (2003–05) is available for those who have been granted leave to remain and had a current postcode in Northern Ireland. This is provided as follows.
	
		
			  People granted leave to remain 
		
		
			 2003 1,757 
			 2004 2,010 
			 2005 2,854

Asylum/Immigration

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the political situation in Pakistan for his policy of repatriation of Pakistani asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We continue to monitor closely the political and human rights situation in Pakistan through key governmental, non-governmental and other human rights organisations. All Pakistani asylum and human rights claims are considered by the Home Office on their individual merits, in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Refugee status or other forms of leave are granted in appropriate cases.
	We enforce the return of an individual only where we are satisfied that the person concerned will not be at risk and has been unsuccessful in any appeals against the decision in their particular case. We do not regard it as unsafe to return failed asylum seekers to Pakistan and by providing asylum or other appropriate forms of protection to those who need it we ensure that only those who are not at risk are returned.

Asylum/Immigration

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to decide who is fitted with an electronic monitoring device when claiming asylum in the UK.

Tony McNulty: Section 36 of the Immigration and Asylum (treatment of claimants etc.) Act 2004 allows for the electronic monitoring (EM) for all those who are liable to be detained under the Immigration Act, provided they are at least 18 years of age.
	EM was piloted from October 2004 to March 2005 using the following criteria: over 18, liable to detention and with the applicants consent. The policy to obtain consent was reversed following pilot evaluation.
	EM policy is still in the developmental stages. The criteria to date are: late and opportunistic claims, high intake nationalities, Third Country Unit cases, cases with a non-suspensive right of appeal, cases with a criminal conviction and cases where there is evidence of a previous history of non-compliance with Immigration Law.

Asylum/Immigration

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conditions are placed on asylum seekers who are fitted with an electronic monitoring device.

Tony McNulty: People fitted with an electronic tag device, are required to be present at their temporary release address for specified periods of time.
	The restriction period is dependant on the circumstances of each case and can include varied restriction periods combined with physical attendance at a Reporting Centre or police station.

Asylum/Immigration

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people claiming asylum were fitted with an electronic monitoring device in the last period for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Less than 0.4 per cent. of individuals claiming asylum were fitted with an electronic monitoring device in the period (July-September 2005) for which figures are available.
	The proportion is likely to increase as the Immigration and Nationality Directorate further develop and rollout Electronic Monitoring (EM) policy.

Asylum/Immigration

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers there are in Wakefield constituency; and how many of them are children.

Tony McNulty: Data on asylum seekers supported by NASS broken down by parliamentary constituency are available from the Library of the House. Data on supported asylum seekers broken down by age is not available.
	The numbers of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are published on a quarterly and annual basis. The most recent publication covering the third quarter of 2005, and further historical publications are available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal expenses his Department incurred in each month of 2005 in relation to asylum appeals.

Tony McNulty: Information on legal expenses is not recorded separately for each stage of the asylum process. Extracting the appeals element could be achieved only at disproportionate cost. The following table shows the monthly amount spent on legal costs and expenses in 2005 for asylum initial decision and appeals processing combined.
	Some of the earlier months also include expenses for enforcement and removal elements of the asylum process and for some non-asylum cases.
	Due to the protracted time taken by legal proceedings and settlement negotiations, most of the expenditure actually brought to account in any one month relates to action taken on appeal cases during a varying period that month. The figures include interim payments of costs pending negotiation of final settlements.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 January 487,516 
			 February 893,736 
			 March 544,655 
			 April 594,078 
			 May 635,206 
			 June 613,011 
			 July 570,486 
			 August 687,328 
			 September 528,731 
			 October 305,121 
			 November 445,472 
			 December 354,470 
			 Total 6,659,810

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were (a) granted and (b) refused in each of the last seven years.

Tony McNulty: Information on asylum initial decisions and appeal outcomes are published quarterly and annually. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given to the standard and quality of housing and support for asylum seekers in the tendering process for National Asylum Support Service; whether the tender process allowed for a decline in the quality of such provision; what assessment he has made of the impact upon these services and asylum seekers of the changes arising from the recently completed tendering process; what estimate he has made of the number of asylum seekers who will have to move home; whether their accommodation is likely to be worse than that presently provided; what the ratio of support workers to asylum seekers will be in 200607; what this ratio was in 200405; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A Statement of Requirements, which forms a part of the new Target contracts, has been developed and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. This details the standards that all accommodation providers to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) under the Target contracts must meet. These standards were drawn up in consultation with existing public sector providers and other external stakeholders. Accommodation providers are required to provide a briefing service to newly dispersed asylum seekers shortly after arrival, a detailed and auditable complaints service and clearly defined timescales for property maintenance and repairs.
	We have sought to minimise, as far as possible, disruption to asylum seekers where a change in accommodation is unavoidable by providing them, at the earliest opportunity, with detailed information of the processes involved and access to a telephone helpline. The exact number of asylum seekers who will need to move to alternative accommodation will be established following the signing of the Target contracts. Current estimates suggest that nationally up to 7,200 households may have to move.
	Asylum seekers requiring support and assistance can seek this from a range of sources including their accommodation provider, the local MASS regional office, statutory agencies, and the voluntary sector. Since April 2000 MASS has funded six voluntary sector agencies to deliver one stop services throughout the United Kingdom to asylum seekers. Following consultation with the agencies involved, new agreements are being put in place for a period of five years from April 2006 to provide continuity of advisory services.

Asylum/Immigration

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason asylum seekers are unable to apply for provisional driving licences; and whether he has any plans to seek to enable them to do so.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	Asylum seekers are eligible to apply for a provisional driving licence provided they meet the requirements specified in legislation. This requires applicants to complete an application, provide a photograph and acceptable supporting evidence of identity.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the Entry Clearance Officers Operational Enforcement Manual.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Diplomatic Service Procedures (DSPs) for Entry Clearance give instructions to Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) on the handling of entry clearance and visa applications. This is a live document that is regularly modified and if a hard copy were placed in the Library it may quickly become out of date.
	The Entry Clearance volume of the DSPs is available on the UKvisas website at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk and may be accessed from the More About UKvisas heading.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the refusal rate for each UK entry clearance office has been in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The table containing the information requested by the hon. Member will be placed in the Library of the House.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) asylum applicants and (b) migrants have been (i) issued with an antisocial behaviour order and (ii) placed on the Sex Offender Register in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Information is not collected centrally on the immigrant or migrant status of recipients of antisocial behaviour orders.
	Persons convicted or cautioned for sexual offences can be required to notify certain personal details to the police under part two of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to enable the police and others to assess the risk that the offender poses to the community. Information about their immigration status is not one of the personal details required.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of training an (a) immigration officer and (b) entry clearance officer receives before taking up their post.

Tony McNulty: All immigration officers joining Border Control receive at least 10 weeks [c410 hours] full time training at the commencement of their employment. For Enforcement and Removals, new immigration officers also receive 10 weeks [c.410 hours] full time training while those transferring from Border Control receive seven weeks [c 287 hours] as much of the necessary legislative and interviewing skills are already known to them. Developmental and functional training is available to all immigration officers throughout their career although there are no set minimum or maximum limits to how much an individual can receive. Therefore, after induction training the amount each immigration officer receives will depend upon individual and business needs.
	All entry clearance officers who have no relevant recent immigration background knowledge and experience are required to attend a three week course (c 120 hours) before taking up their post. Immigration officers with the relevant background knowledge and experience are required to attend a one week (c 40 hours) conversion course before taking up duty.

Asylum/Immigration

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people living in Northern Ireland in 2005 were estimated to be doing so illegally.

Tony McNulty: In 2005, the Home Office published a report which included an estimate of the size of the illegal migrant population in the UK in 2001. A copy of the RDS On-line report 29/05 Sizing the unauthorised (illegal) migrant population in the United Kingdom in 2001 can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/notes/june_summaries.html#rdsolr2905.
	As mentioned in the report the only method to estimate the size of the unauthorised migrant population in the UK that currently can sensibly be applied is the residual method. As the method relies on data from the census of the population undertaken every 10 years, it is not possible to produce an estimate for other years. Nor is it possible, using this methodology, to estimate the number living in Northern Ireland.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to deal with those who transport illegal immigrants into the UK.

Tony McNulty: The civil penalty regime, as amended by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, enables the imposition of a penalty on drivers, owners, operators and hirers of transporters of up to a maximum of 2,000 per clandestine entrant carried to the UK or to a UK immigration control operated in a prescribed zone. In cases where the driver or operator knowingly transports clandestine entrants criminal proceedings may ensue.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to tackle illegal immigration in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) Greater London.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 8 February 2006, Official Report, column 1274W, which applies equally to the Greater London area.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for attempting illegally to enter the UK in each of the last seven years.

Tony McNulty: The immigration service has deployed a range of initiatives to deter and detect illegal entry to the UK including moving controls overseas, enhancing juxtaposed controls in Paris, Lille, Brussels and Calais, deploying new detection technology in France and Belgium, enhanced visa regimes, the UK's network of airline liaison officers and close co-operation with carriers, port authorities and our EU colleagues.
	Recorded numbers of inadequately documented arrivals that have arrived at UK ports over the last three years are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 17,228 
			 2004 11,233 
			 2005 7,066

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people arrested in the last seven years for non-immigration related offences were illegal immigrants.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds have been allocated to tackling illegal immigration in each of the last seven years.

Tony McNulty: Total IND expenditure is available in the published accounts of the Home Office.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 50 countries of origin from which the most illegal immigrants arrived in each of the last seven years.

Tony McNulty: In 2005, the Home Office published a report which included an estimate of the size of the illegal migrant population in the UK in 2001. A copy of the RDS online report 29/05 Sizing the unauthorised (illegal) migrant population in the United Kingdom in 2001 can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/notes/june_summaries. html#rdsolr2905
	As mentioned in the report the only method to estimate the size of the unauthorised migrant population in the UK that currently can sensibly be applied is the residual method. Using this methodology, it is not possible to estimate the country of origin of unauthorised (illegal) migrants.

Asylum/Immigration

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are detained (a) in and (b) outside Scotland under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; and how many people were detained under the Act in each category in each quarter of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office does not hold information on the total number of persons who were detained in each quarter of the last five years. Information on persons detained in and outside of Scotland is also not available. It would only be available by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
	Quarterly snapshots are published showing the number of persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers on the last Saturday of each quarter, broken down by place of detention. This information may be found in the Quarterly Asylum statistics publication and can be found on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum/Immigration

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of running the hon. Members' hotline for immigration and asylum inquiries in each year between 1995 and 2005.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's MPs' Hotline was established in January 2000. Expenditure on salaries and associated administrative costs in 200506 is projected to be 427,600.

Asylum/Immigration

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes on average to process to completion a case of asylum nationality and immigration raised via the hon. Members' hotline.

Tony McNulty: Management information on the performance of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate MPs' Hotline is not collected in the requested form. Although the Hotline is able to make decisions on applications within the Immigration Rules, the great majority of callers (some 80 per cent.) are either seeking general immigration advice or inquiring about progress on a constituent's application.
	In the period AprilDecember 2005 the Hotline received 25,637 telephone calls of which 20,878 (82 per cent.) were resolved the same day. Of the other 4,759 calls, 4,239 (16 per cent. of the total) were referred by Hotline staff to the relevant operational areas for resolution.
	The remaining 520 inquiries were handled within the Hotline and 270 of these were to resolve caseworking issues. The target to complete action in such cases is 10 working days and the Hotline achieved that in 80 per cent. of cases.

Asylum/Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision will be reached on the application of Hamid Hamdullah Zadah, reference 21034579, for leave to remain.

Tony McNulty: It is standard Home Office policy to undertake a number of checks on people of certain nationalities (and others where necessary) before their claims can be finalised. In some instances, these have to be pursued at some length. This is essential in order to maintain effective immigration control, to prevent the wrong people acquiring citizenship and permanent right of abode here and to safeguard national security. It is unfortunate when, as in this case, these checks necessarily take longer to carry out than usual.
	I can assure you that Mr. Hamdullah Zadah will be informed as soon as a decision on his asylum claim has been made.

Blasphemy

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to abolish the law on blasphemy; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: We have no immediate plans to abolish the law on blasphemy.

British Citizenship

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have had British citizenship removed in each of the last seven years.

Tony McNulty: None, but two cases are being actively pursued and other possibilities are being examined.

Channings Ward Prison

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 566W, on Channings Ward prison, whether the prisoner awaiting deportation has been deported to Jamaica; from which countries the 29 other foreign national prisoners come; and what the plans are for each.

Tony McNulty: As at 15 February there were 32 foreign national prisoners at Channings Wood prison. 15 of these prisoners are reported to come from Jamaica, five from Ireland, two from both Bangladesh and Iran with one each from Algeria, Brazil, Pakistan, Poland, Spain, Uganda and Venezuela.
	The individual referred to in the previous response has not yet been removed as he submitted both an asylum claim and a judicial review of the decision to remove him after removal directions were set in his case.
	In reaching a decision on whether the other prisoners at Channings Wood are to be deported, my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary will take into account a number of factors, including whether the sentencing court made a recommendation for deportation as well as an individual's criminal, immigration and personal history.

Child Abuse

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the police have to investigate an individual found guilty of a sexual offence against a child committed prior to the commencement of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

Paul Goggins: The police would not continue to investigate an offence once the defendant had been found guilty.

Child Protection

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1090W, on child protection, how many cautions for possession of an indecent photograph of a child were issued in each of the last five years to people working with children.

Paul Goggins: It is not possible, from data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, to identify those offenders who work with children and were given a caution for possession of an indecent photograph as the circumstances of individual offences are not collected centrally.

Commonwealth Citizens (Work Permits)

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have for the UK ancestry provision that allows Commonwealth citizens who can prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK and Islands to apply to come to the UK to live and work without the need for a work permit.

Tony McNulty: We have no plans to make changes to the UK ancestry route.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will reply to the letters of (a) 25 October 2005 regarding Mr. McLaren and (b) 15 November 2005 regarding Mr. Tiash Singh from the hon. Member for Warley.

Tony McNulty: The information is as follows:
	(a) The immigration and nationality directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 16 February 2006.
	(b) The immigration and nationality directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 10 February 2006.

Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the immigration and nationality directorate will provide a substantive reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam dated 9 September 2005 concerning his constituent Dong Su Kim.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 15 February 2006
	The director general of the immigration and nationality directorate wrote to the hon. Member on 13 February 2006.

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green's correspondence of 7 November 2005 regarding her constituent Mr. Vata (Home Office reference: V1007093).

Tony McNulty: The Director General of IND wrote to the hon. Member on 22 February.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 22 November 2005 from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood regarding Mr. Mbaloula Nkeoua (Home Office Reference LR189501428X/IDRC).

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 16 February 2006.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of 8 December 2005 on behalf of Paul Albert Millwood (Home Office Reference M1081731).

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 20 February 2006.

Correspondence

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to question 50174 from the hon. Member for Broxbourne tabled on 6 February 2006 for answer on 9 February 2006.

Tony McNulty: I replied to the hon. Member on 20 February 2006, Official Report, column 1712.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 20 September 2005 from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, regarding the application of Mr. Malleit Ram, Home Office reference R1059053 for leave to remain.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 20 February 2006.

Correspondence

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many residents in Manchester, Withington have been waiting for more than 13 weeks for replies to correspondence from his Department in relation to (a) settlement visas and (b) claims for asylum.

Tony McNulty: Statistics on letters from individuals about their applications to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate are not routinely recorded.

Crime

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of vandalism were reported in (a) Swindon and (b) England in each year between 1997 and 2005.

Hazel Blears: The requested information is given in the following tables.
	Offences of vandalism are recorded within the criminal damage group classification.
	Crime statistics for Swindon are recorded at crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP) level; and for the offence of criminal damage are available from 200001 to 200405.
	
		Table 1: Recorded offences of criminal damage, 1997 -- Number of offences recorded
		
			 Period Swindon CDRP England 
		
		
			 1997  822,029 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the revised counting rules for recorded crime, which came into effect on 1 April 1998. Therefore, this figure is not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Recorded offences of criminal damage, 199899 to 200102 -- Number of offences recorded
		
			 Period Swindon CDRP England 
		
		
			 199899  823,520 
			 19992000  890,756 
			 200001 2,990 906,800 
			 200102 3,422 1,007,634 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 3: Recorded offences of criminal damage, 200203 to 200405 -- Number of offences recorded
		
			 Period Swindon CDRP England 
		
		
			 200203 3,533 1,043,197 
			 200304 3,660 1,139,308 
			 200405 3,567 1,121,057 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Crime Detection (Eastern Region)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what crime detection rates were recorded for (a) violence against the person, (b) sexual offences, (c) robberies, (d) burglaries, (e) theft of a vehicle and (f) drug-related offences in (i) Peterborough constituency and (ii) the Eastern Region in the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Detection data are collected at force and basic command unit levels only. Information for Cambridgeshire Northern BCU and Eastern Region is given in the following table.
	
		Detection rates 200405 -- Percentage
		
			  Eastern region Cambridgeshire Northern BCU 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 61 53 
			 Sexual offences 35 28 
			 Robbery 25 20 
			 Burglary 15 15 
			 Theft of a vehicle 20 26 
			 Drug offences 94 89

Criminal Records Bureau

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people applying for positions within residential care and nursing homes in (a) West Lancashire, (b) Lancashire and (c) England are awaiting clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau.

Andy Burnham: The information requested by the hon. Member for West Lancashire is not available. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is unable to provide information on Disclosure applications based on specific employment sectors or geographical areas.
	The CRB aims to complete Disclosure applications across all sectors within the shortest time possible. Its published service standards are to issue 93 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within two weeks and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks for all applications.

Criminal Records Bureau

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when a soldier is found guilty of an offence by the military law courts, that information is recorded by the Criminal Records Bureau and accessed when a check against the Bureau's records is carried out.

Andy Burnham: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) does not record details of offences committed by any individual, including service personnel. The CRB obtains details of all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings from the Police National Computer (PNC) as part of its Disclosure service. Recordable offences (i.e. those offences which could carry a term of imprisonment) that have been committed by Her Majesty's Armed Forces personnel are placed on the PNC and these details would be accessed as part of the CRB's Disclosure process, subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974.

Departmental Assets

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the items of departmental property worth over 100 that have been reported as (a) lost and (b) broken in the last 12 months.

Charles Clarke: There have been no items reported lost or broken in the last 12 months.

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the Civil Service work force reductions targets for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the Review.

Charles Clarke: My Department will reduce the size of its headquarters by 2,700 full-time equivalent posts by 31 March 2008, that will contribute savings of at least 61 million p.a. to the Department achieving its target to increase value for money by 1,970 million p.a. by the end of the 2004 Spending Review period.

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent.

Charles Clarke: My Department has a target to increase value for money by 1,970 million p.a. by 200708, of which 1,240 million p.a. (63 per cent.) would be cashable.
	The value for money technical note (published on the Home Office website via http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/our-service-to-you/?view=Standard) sets out how this target would be achieved and measured in the police service and principal parts of my Department's business.
	During 200405, my Department achieved gains worth 845 million (of which 554 million, 66 per cent., was cashable; reported to Parliament in my 2005 Autumn Performance Report Cm 6707) as the first step towards achieving its target. While my Department does not hypothecate savings, cashable gains are re-cycled to off-set cost pressures in meeting the public's priorities.

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the target level of employment expressed as full-time equivalents is in his Department by April 2008, in order to meet his Department's civil service workforce reductions target set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Charles Clarke: In the 2004 Spending Review, my Department adopted a target to reduce the size of the headquarters by 2,700 full-time equivalent posts; that forms part of the Government's overall workforce target.

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what total efficiency savings were achieved by his Department in 200405; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Charles Clarke: In my 2005 Autumn Performance Report to Parliament (Cm 6707), I reported that my Department had achieved value for money improvements of 845 million during 200405, of which 554 million was cashable, as the first step to achieving the 1,970 million p.a. target that the Department will meet by the end of the 2004 Spending Review period.

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what interim targets he has set for achieving (a) the agreed efficiency target for his Department and (b) the civil service workforce reductions targets for (i) gross reductions in posts, (ii) net reductions in posts and (iii) relocations for his Department, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review; what the baseline figures are against which these interim targets are assessed; on what dates they will take effect; and by what dates these interim targets are intended to be met.

Charles Clarke: My Department has targets (i) to increase value for money by 1,970 million p.a. by 200708 compared with during 200304 (the baseline year), (ii) to reduce the size of the headquarters by 2,700 full-time equivalent posts net by March 2008 compared with during March 2004, and (iii) to relocate 2,200 posts. While I have not set interim targets for my value for money programme, in the 2005 Autumn Performance Report (Cm 6707) I reported gains worth 845 million having been achieved during 200405, which means that the Department is ahead of what a linear trajectory to achieving its 1,970 million target would require.

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what baseline figures he is using for assessing progress on his Department's targets to (a) deliver efficiency gains from policing, (b) increase the proportion of officer time spent on front-line policing, (c) reduce asylum support, processing and operating costs, (d) increase efficiency across the Criminal Justice System and (e) increase efficiency through value for money benefits from investment in ICT; what progress has been made towards these targets to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved to date are for these targets.

Charles Clarke: The baseline and approach to assessing increases in value for money in my Department are set out in the technical note, available via http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/our-service-to-you/?view=Standard.
	In my 2005 Autumn Performance Report (Cm 6707), I reported to Parliament that the Department had increased VfM by 845 million during 200405, including through the police service having achieved gains worth 316 million, of which 111 million was cashable, and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate having achieved gains worth 305 million (295 million was cashable). In his evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee last year, Sir John Gieve, then permanent secretary of my Department, reported that the cost of asylum support had been reduced by more than 250 million during 200405.
	In general, my Department records increases in VfM in the areas of activity where they arisesuch as in the Immigration and Nationality Directoratebecause that is where management action is required to ensure that gains are achieved, rather than describing gains thematically (such as in terms of 'from investment in ICT').

Departmental Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what baseline figures he is using for assessing progress on his Department's targets to reduce (a) the number of posts in the National Offender Management Service and (b) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate Headquarters by 1,170; what progress has been made towards these targets to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved to date are for these targets.

Charles Clarke: My Department's target is to reduce the size of the headquarters by 2,700 full time-equivalent posts by 31 March 2008 (of which the Department estimates that around 1,170 posts would be derived from reduction in headquarters functions in the National Offender Management Service and Immigration and Nationality Directorate). That is from a baseline figure for the size of the headquarters of 9,900 full-time equivalent posts in March 2004 (reported in my Department's value for money technical note, available via http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/our-service-to-you/?view=Standard). Of the total baseline, the National Offender Management Service accounts for around one third of posts in the headquarters, and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate around one quarter.
	In my 2005 Autumn Performance Report to Parliament (Cm 6707), I reported that my Department had reduced the size of the headquarters by 917 full-time equivalent posts, including posts in the headquarters functions of the National Offender Management Service and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. This reduction contributed 32 million per annum cashable gains to the increase in value for money worth 845 million per annum that I reported in respect of the financial year 200405.

Departmental Finance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure it keeps full and accurate financial records;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure full and accurate financial records are kept by his Department.

Charles Clarke: Several steps are being taken to ensure that my Department is keeping full and accurate records, including:
	strengthening and improving the financial control framework and processes throughout the Home Office;
	significantly strengthening our financial accounting function: more than doubling the number of qualified and experienced accountants and relocating to our London headquarters;
	ensuring that the financial control environment will be kept under close review by the Home Office Audit Committee and Permanent Secretary;
	undertaking an external review by a firm of accountants to establish whether any additional steps need to be taken.

Departmental Staff

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to change the London allowance of its staff; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: London locational allowances are normally reviewed as part of the annual pay award settlements and takes account of the Home Office business needs to recruit and retain staff, local employment markets and cost of living pressures. The last review of these allowances occurred in 2005. For the non-agency Home Office these allowances were increased by 12 per cent. with a further review timetabled for 2007. For the Prison Service there was no increase in the value of local pay allowances in London. However, a further review will be carried out in 2006 and the value of any increases has yet to be determined.

Domestic Violence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic violence prosecutions were undertaken in each English police region in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 13 February 2006
	Offences involving domestic violence are not identifiable on the Office for Criminal Justice Reform Court Proceedings database as no specific statute covers such offences.
	Data held by the Crown Prosecution Service for the number of domestic violence cases dealt with during the financial year 200405, and April to December 2005 are provided in attached table. Figures for previous years are not available.
	
		Total number of cases dealt with by the Crown Prosecution Service involving domestic violence in England by police force region for the financial year 200405 and April to December 2005
		
			 Police force area Financial year 200405 April to December 2005 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 919 877 
			 Bedfordshire 240 358 
			 Cambridgeshire 421 407 
			 Cheshire 533 735 
			 Cleveland 378 463 
			 Cumbria 351 364 
			 Derbyshire 834 964 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,047 1,076 
			 Dorset 255 341 
			 Durham 409 432 
			 Dyfed Powys 236 231 
			 Essex 885 987 
			 Gloucestershire 493 520 
			 Greater Manchester 1,604 1,570 
			 Gwent 445 377 
			 Hampshire and IOW 1,403 1,159 
			 Hertfordshire 518 756 
			 Humberside 258 506 
			 Kent 696 533 
			 Lancashire 1,261 1,243 
			 Leicestershire 693 684 
			 Lincolnshire 336 345 
			 London 2,807 3,272 
			 Merseyside 1,317 1,194 
			 Norfolk 483 447 
			 Northamptonshire 300 459 
			 Northumbria 1,253 1,112 
			 North Wales 439 530 
			 North Yorkshire 362 430 
			 Nottinghamshire 762 851 
			 South Wales 1,182 997 
			 South Yorkshire 884 891 
			 Staffordshire 1,268 1,324 
			 Suffolk 527 518 
			 Surrey 305 363 
			 Sussex 1,194 837 
			 Thames Valley 949 1,194 
			 Warwickshire 32 115 
			 West Mercia 690 634 
			 West Midlands 2,714 2,444 
			 West Yorkshire 2,608 2,212 
			 Wiltshire 548 479 
			 Total 34,839 35,231

Drug Classification

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are performance measures by which the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs can review the efficacy of its advice to classify drugs in a particular class.

Paul Goggins: The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs keeps under review all the recommendations it makes in respect of the classification of individual drugs, and will update its advice in the event of any change in circumstance, including the emergence of new evidence.

Drug Offences

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted by North Wales Police for the offences of (a) supply of, (b) possession with intent to supply and (c) possession of a (i) Class A and (ii) Class B controlled drug in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: The available information relates to the number of persons dealt with at court and is given in the table.
	
		Number of persons dealt with at court(26) for drug offences in North Wales, 2002 to 2004
		
			  2002 2003 2004 
			 Offence type class A class B class A class B class A (27)class B 
		
		
			 Unlawful supply 7 9 13 8 15 5 
			 Possession with intent to supply 0 13 1 12 0 16 
			 Unlawful possession 3 396 4 520 8 135 
		
	
	(26) Includes those found not guilty.
	(27) Class B data for 2004 exclude cannabis offences due to its reclassification to class C drug on 29 January 2004.

Drug Offences

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) cautioned and (b) prosecuted by North Wales Police for the offence of possession of cannabis in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The requested information is given in the table. Available data for prosecutions relate to the number of persons dealt with at court.
	
		Number of persons in North Wales receiving police cautions and dealt with at court for cannabis possession, 2002 to 2004
		
			  Cautioned by police(28) Dealt with at court(29) 
		
		
			 2002 700 364 
			 2003 708 453 
			 2004 450 187 
		
	
	(28) Not including police formal warnings for cannabis possession which are not counted as police cautions.
	(29) Includes those found not guilty.

Drug Treatment Programmes

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on drug treatment in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The Department and the Home Office have combined the funding provided centrally for drug treatment. Known as the pooled treatment budget, this money is allocated to the 149 drug action teams (DATs) across the country. This budget has increased from 142 million in 200102 to 300 million in 200506.
	The pooled treatment budget allocation since 2001 is shown in table one.
	
		Table 1: Pooled treatment budget allocation, 200102 to 200506
		
			  Amount ( million) 
		
		
			 200102 142 
			 200203 191 
			 200304 236 
			 200405 253 
			 200506 300 
		
	
	The 149 DATs also receive funding and time-limited funding from the local organisations that form part of the DAT. These include primary care trusts (PCTs), local authorities (LAs), strategic health authorities (SHAs) and probation services. The National Treatment Agency monitors how this money is spent. Estimates of these amounts for the past five years are shown in table 2.
	
		Table 2: Estimates of funding, 200102 to 200506
		
			  Amount ( million) 
		
		
			 200102 145 
			 200203 131 
			 200304 200 
			 200405 (30)204 
			 200506 (30)208 
		
	
	(30) Local funding increases based on 2 per cent. inflation increase.

Drugs (Afghanistan)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted in the UK in each of the last four years for drugs offences related to the import of illegal drugs from Afghanistan.

Charles Clarke: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Executive Agencies

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) targets, (b) advice and (c) guidance his Department has given to executive agencies that fall under the remit of his Department on the reorganisation of their administrative functions on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is as follows.
	Criminal Records Bureau
	The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is based in Liverpool and therefore no advice has been provided centrally on reorganisation of administrative functions on a regional basis. The Home Office is represented on the CRB Management Board and there is ongoing dialogue about how greater integration and alignment of support services can be achieved, particularly in the area of human resources.
	The Prison Service
	Her Majesty's Prison Service is the only executive agency within the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The management of all its prisons, except for the High Security Estate which is managed nationally, is already established on an area structure based upon the boundaries of Wales and the nine government regions of England. Three prison service areas fall within the south-east region due to the number of prisons within that location.
	United Kingdom Passport Service
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) does have planning links with the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS), and as part of this have regular bi-laterals at an official level. However IND does not provide UKPS with targets or any guidance on their organisation. Furthermore while Ministers are consulted about policy objectives to improve passport security and counter fraud, the UKPS set their own business drivers and as part of this will be opening sixty nine interview offices across the United Kingdom in 2006.

Firearms

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms were seized in (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last seven years.

Hazel Blears: The requested data are not collected centrally.

Firearms

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms have been seized by police in Wales in each of the last seven years.

Hazel Blears: The requested data are not collected centrally.

Fresh Talent Scheme

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many migrants to Scotland under the Fresh Talent initiative, including migrants on the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland scheme, have been (a) skilled, (b) unskilled and (c) semi-skilled in each month since the scheme began operation;
	(2)  what sectors of employment migrants to Scotland have entered under the Fresh Talent initiative, including migrants on the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland scheme;
	(3)  how many migrants to Scotland under the Fresh Talent initiative, including migrants on the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland scheme, have not held university degrees or qualifications from Scottish institutions.

Tony McNulty: The Fresh Talent Initiative is operated by the Scottish Executive. The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme is one part of the Fresh Talent Initiative, and is also a separate category within the Immigration Rules. In order to qualify for the scheme, migrants need to have been awarded an HND, undergraduate degree, Master's degree or PhD by a Scottish institution. IND does not hold information on the sector participants choose to work in but all hold an HND as a minimum.
	The Scottish Executive is monitoring and evaluating the Fresh Talent Initiative. This includes sending participants in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme a questionnaire at regular intervals, one of the questions being which sector they are employed in. The Scottish Executive will be publishing an analysis of the questionnaire responses on their website.

Gun Offences

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the gun offences recorded in the area of North Wales Police during the year ended 31 March 2005 related to the use of ball-bearing guns.

Hazel Blears: A BB gun is an airsoft weapon that fires plastic pellets. Forty-seven of the 60 offences involving firearms (excluding air weapons) recorded by North Wales Police in 200405 related to the use of BB guns.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Government Departments' estimates of the (a) total and (b) net cost of (i) integrating the proposed identity card scheme into his Department's IT systems and (ii) the ongoing operation of the scheme are included in the Home Office's 584 million at 200506 prices estimated cost of the scheme published in the regulatory impact assessment; and what these estimates are.

Tony McNulty: Other Government Departments do not produce estimates of the costs of integrating Home Office IT systems with the identity card scheme or of the ongoing operation of the scheme itself.
	Estimates made by Government Departments of the costs of integrating the Identity Cards Scheme into their own IT systems is part of the ongoing development of the business case which continues to show that the benefits of the scheme outweigh the costs. These cost estimates are not included within the figure of 584 million which represents our current best estimate of the costs of issuing passports and ID cards to British nationals and the central infrastructure costs of providing an on-line verification service which can validate ID cards and other identity inquiries for user organisations in the public and private sector.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2005, Official Report, column 1457W, on identity cards, whether a decision has been made on the (a) number and (b) location of centres where biometric information may be collected; and whether the cost of these centres is included in the estimated cost of the scheme published in the regulatory impact assessment.

Andy Burnham: No final decisions have been taken with regard to the exact number or eventual locations of enrolment centres for the Identity Card Scheme as ongoing analysis and research continues. While the 69 offices of the expanded passport office network will form the building blocks of the enrolment centre network, it does not necessarily reflect the entire network structure.
	The Identity Cards Programme business case includes assumptions with regard the number of enrolment centres for the identity card scheme. However, it is not possible to reveal this number at present as to do so would jeopardise the ability of the Government to obtain value for money from the procurement process.
	The Government have stated that current analysis envisages that no person will have to travel more than an hour to get to an enrolment centre. Provision for mobile enrolment facilities is planned for those who would have to travel more than an hour from the location of a fixed enrolment centre.
	The estimated annual average running costs for issuing identity cards and passports to British citizens cost is 584 million. The cost of staffing, operation, equipment and office property for passport and identity card local enrolment centres and mobile enrolment facilities where biometrics will be recorded is included in this figure as well as allowances for depreciation and the replacement and updating of IT and other equipment as well as the maintenance thereof.

Identity Cards

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to ensure that individuals who are not in possession of the proposed identity card will not be denied access to emergency services; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Government have always made clear that an ID card will not be required at any time for access to emergency treatment. This was emphasised when the policy was announced in November 2003, in 'Identity Cards: The Next Steps' (Cm 6020)
	No one would ever be refused medical treatment in an emergency or emergency social security benefits nor would vulnerable groups be refused critical services such as access to hostels or refuges because they were unable to produce an identity card.
	It would not in any case be possible to require the production of an ID card for emergency treatment as the Identity Cards Bill currently before Parliament explicitly precludes the making of regulations requiring people to carry a card at all times. In addition, no free public service will be able to require the production of an ID card without new primary legislation.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he will put in place to ensure the security of RFID chips and biometric information on identity cards and biometric passports; and whether such measures are included in the 584 million estimated annual cost of operating the identity cards scheme.

Andy Burnham: There are no plans to incorporate RFID chips in biometric passports and identity cards which will use proximity chips. While both use radio frequencies, they use different operating systems and security requirements. For example, proximity chips include a far higher level of security protection than an RFID tag and can only be read at a very short distance (e.g. 02cm from the reader). These differences are reflected in the fact that they operate to different standards set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
	Proximity chips are being introduced into travel documents worldwide to fulfil international requirements for travel documents established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a division of the United Nations.
	It is intended that the proximity chips in both the identity card and biometric passports will utilise Basic Access Control as a data access protocol in accordance with international standards as well as other cryptographic measures in order to prevent the information on the chip from being modified. Furthermore, it is planned that further advanced encryption will be utilised to secure biometric information on the chip of the card. This will comply with Extended Access Control standards that are currently under development at an international level.
	The security features of the chip of the biometric passport and identity card will also be subject to an assurance process including rigorous testing in advance of their rollout. In addition, before the identity card scheme can commence, it will be subject to a comprehensive security accreditation process.
	The cost of producing chips with these security features is included in the annual running cost estimate of issuing biometric passports and identity cards.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been in the identity card scheme since he first estimated the annual operating costs at 584 million.

Andy Burnham: The Identity Cards Programme is constantly evolving as it prepares for the commencement of a procurement process and the establishment of a new agency for the issue of passports and identity cards. Based on ongoing analysis and research, assumptions underlying the Scheme are regularly refined and an assessment on the impact of the Scheme's business case is conducted before changes are approved.
	However, the changes that have been approved since the estimate of average annual operating costs of 584 million was published have had no overall upward impact on this figure.

Illegal Workers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalties are available against businesses which hire illegal workers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: It is a criminal offence under section eight of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 to employ someone over the age of 16 who is subject to immigration control and who has not been granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or whose leave is not valid or subsisting or is subject to a condition precluding the employment. The sanction on conviction is a fine; the maximum penalty is 5,000 following summary conviction and an unlimited fine following conviction on indictment. In more serious cases involving the employment of illegal migrant workers, offences relating to the law on trafficking and facilitation which carry a maximum custodial sentence of 14 years imprisonment may also be relevant.
	Provisions in the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, which is currently before Parliament, will replace section eight with a system of civil penalties for employers who employ illegal workers as a consequence of slipshod employment practices, and a more serious offence of knowingly employing an illegal worker, which carries a maximum custodial penalty of two years' imprisonment following conviction on indictment.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hon. Members have registered with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's internet service for them since its launch.

Tony McNulty: 354 Members have registered for access to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's dedicated website for them since the service was launched on 13 December 2004.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2005, Official Report, columns 19596W, what criteria are used by his Department in assessing subsequent applications from dependants seeking to join families with indefinite leave to remain in the UK; and what estimate he has made of the number of such applications that have been made.

Tony McNulty: Various provisions exist in the Immigration Rules to allow for those who can demonstrate dependency to join their sponsors in the UK. Categories include marriage or civil partnership, dependent children under 18, and in some circumstances, elderly dependent relatives.
	There is no separate provision for dependants to join a family after the decision has been taken to grant the family indefinite leave to enter or remain under the exercise for asylum-seeking families. Such dependants must apply for entry clearance under the Immigration Rules in the normal way.
	Figures on dependants coming to the UK to join sponsors, including British citizens, who are settled here are published in Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, 2004. This is available on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1405.pdf. Figures on dependants conning to join families who have been granted settled status under the exercise for asylum-seeking families are not recorded separately and no estimates are available.

Judicial Inquiries

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the judicial inquiries that have taken place since May 1997; and what the cost of each has been to date.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	Two inquiries were established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 after May 1997: the Shipman Inquiry, chaired by Dame Janet Smith with an estimated final cost of 21 million and the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville, as yet to be completed and estimated at 160 million.
	Since May 1997 public inquiries that have had judicial chairmen include:
	An Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. David Kelly, chaired by Lord Hutton and estimated at 1.7 million;
	The Equitable Life Inquiry chaired by Lord Penrose and estimated at 2.5 million;
	The Marchioness Inquiry chaired by Lord Justice Clarke estimated at 6.3 million which includes the cost of an Inquiry into Victim Identification and the Thames River Safety Inquiry;
	The Joint Inquiry into Train Protection Systems chaired by Lord Cullen and Professor John Uff QC estimated at 1.2 million;
	The Ladbroke Grove Inquiry chaired by Lord Cullen estimated at 8.6 million;
	The FV-Gaul Inquiry chaired by Mr. Justice David Steel estimated at 6 million;
	The MV Derbyshire Inquiry chaired by Mr. Justice Coleman estimated at 11 million;
	The BSE Inquiry chaired by Lord Philips estimated at 26 million;
	The Ashwoth Special Hospital Inquiry chaired by his honour Peter Fallon QC estimated at 2.5 million;
	The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry chaired by Sir William Macpherson estimated at 4.2 million.

Kurshed Ullah

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to decide the immigration status of Kurshed Ullah, reference M1004556.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to Mr. Ullah's solicitors on 15 February 2006 advising them of the decision taken in their client's case.

London Olympics

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what organisational structures will be put in place to ensure the security of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Paul Goggins: I refer to my answer given to the hon. Member on 11 January 2006, Official Report, column 682W.

Malawi

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of whether failed asylum seekers removed to Malawi will be safe upon their return; and what guarantees he has received over the safety of such people;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likelihood that non-Malawian failed asylum seekers removed to Malawi will be deported to Zimbabwe;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on his Department's policy of removing non-Malawian failed asylum seekers to Malawi.

Tony McNulty: Failed Malawian asylum seekers will only be returned to Malawi if the asylum decision making and independent appeals system have found that they would not be at risk there. A failed asylum seeker who, although not a national, was entitled to reside in Malawi would only be returned there if it would be safe to do so, taking into account any likelihood that they would be returned to a country where they would be at risk. We do not remove asylum seekers to Malawi who are not entitled to reside there.

Manuel D'Custra

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Manuel D'Custra, ref LR144101179X/1, will receive notification of his immigration status.

Tony McNulty: I have written separately to the hon. Gentleman.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department is assessing the merits of introducing a PIN-like system of access to the National Identity Register for telephone clients in circumstances when someone is not carrying their identity card; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Identity Cards Programme is reviewing at a number of different possible methods of remote authentication on the basis of security and functionality that allow for the implementation of secure remote authentication over the telephone, including those that involve the use of a PIN-like system.
	This information will be used as a basis to assess solutions for remote authentication requirements that are proposed by bidders during the procurement process. It is important to note that the Identity Card Programme intends to provide an identity verification service. This does not provide direct access to the register, as implied in the question, but rather it verifies an individual's identity based on information that is held on that individual's record on the National Identity Register.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the average number of online verifications per holder of identity card against the National Identity Register in a year.

Andy Burnham: At present, work is continuing to refine interim estimates of the likely number of verification transactions on the basis of consultation regarding the needs of likely users of the scheme. The figure will vary each year depending on what stage of the rollout of Identity Cards Scheme has been reached.
	The last interim estimate published by the Identity Card Programme was that research had shown that at least 163 million verification transactions could be anticipated at full rollout but that figure could be exceeded considerably.

National Offender Management Service

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the National Offender Management Service has prepared a business case on commissioning.

Fiona Mactaggart: The NOMS strategic business case was published in October last year. The case for introducing commissioning and contestability is demonstrated in the partial regulatory impact assessment, published in November last year.

Nepal

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment the Government have made of the safety of removing failed Nepali asylum seekers to Nepal; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 14 February 2006
	We continue to monitor closely the political and human rights situation in Nepal through key governmental, non-governmental and other human rights organisations. The asylum determination process assesses the protection needs of individual claimants and where the situation in Nepal impacts on the circumstances of an individual claimant then it is duly considered as part of that individual's claim.
	All Nepalese asylum and human rights applications are considered by the Home Office on their individual merits, in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Refugee status or other forms of leave are granted in appropriate cases.
	We enforce the return of an individual only where we are satisfied that the person concerned will not be at risk and has been unsuccessful in any appeals against the decision in their particular case. We do not regard it as unsafe to return failed asylum seekers to Nepal and by providing asylum or other appropriate forms of protection to those who need it we ensure that only those who are not at risk are returned.

Oakington Immigration Reception Centre

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been detained at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre for longer than 10 days in each of the last six weeks.

Tony McNulty: Since July 2005 the situation has changed regarding the detention of children at Oakington as the family block closed on 29 October 2005.
	Information on the number of children, detained under Immigration Act powers for a period of greater than 10 days at Oakington was collated on a snapshot basis from management information and is not National Statistics. The table covers the six week period6 June to 11 July 2005.
	Information on the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers as at 24 September 2005 was published in the Quarterly Asylum Statistics publication on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		Minors(31) recorded as being in detention for more than 10 days at Oakington Reception Centre in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at the weeks commencing, 6 June 2005 to 11 July 2005(32)(5508830033) -- Number of individuals
		
			 Week commencing Monday: Minors(31) 
		
		
			 6 June 12 
			 13 June 25 
			 20 June 18 
			 27 June 4 
			 4 July 36 
			 11 July 17 
		
	
	(31) People recorded as being under 18.
	(32) Relates to current period of detention only.
	(33) These data are provisional.

Official Document Photographs (Religious Clothing)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what departmental guidelines have been issued on the wearing of religious clothing in photographs for official documentation; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The United Kingdom Passport Service will accept photographs showing headwear worn for religious purposes provided that it does not obscure or cast any shadow on the face.

Park Police (Newham)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received on the activities of Newham Council's Park Police.

Hazel Blears: The Home Secretary received a letter from the right hon. David Davis MP on 4 November suggesting that Newham Council Parks Constabulary officers had been acting outside their remit. A reply outlining the result of a thorough investigation, together with instructions on how to acquire the full text of the report of this investigation, was sent on 6 December.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer question 31031 tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 17 November 2005.

Charles Clarke: I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave on 17 January 2006, Official Report, column 1270W.

Passports

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2005, Official Report, column 1784W, on passports, if he will list the other public sector databases to which he refers; and if he will make a statement on how the linkages referred to will be made.

Andy Burnham: Subject to legislation, as outlined in the UK Passport Service Corporate and Business Plans 200510, we plan to establish an electronic link to the Office for National Statistics its records of births, marriages and deaths. This does not provide for a direct link between the two databases but rather allows for a system that will provided a verification of specific identity information provided on applications against records held by the ONS. This will eliminate reliance on paper documentation, thereby enhancing customer service and eliminating some types of fraud.
	A similar arrangement will be sought with the General Register Offices (GROs) in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, so information can be verified against their nationality databases. Furthermore, a similar arrangement is being considered with the Department of Work and Pensions and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. It is important to note that, by law, these checks would only be permitted for the verification of identity information provided for the purpose of a passport application or for determining whether to withdraw a passport. It would not entail the provision of any other information from these sources.
	In 200607 we will be developing the systems to deliver these plans, subject to the passage of legislation, as part of the UKPS Personal Identity Project.

Passports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fake passports have been seized in the UK in each of the last seven years.

Andy Burnham: The number of forged passports detected by the Immigration Service at UK ports of entry in each of the last seven years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998 6,338 
			 1999 5,516 
			 2000 5,394 
			 2001 6,601 
			 2002 9,665 
			 2003 7,985 
			 2004 8,285 
		
	
	The total for 2005 is not yet available.

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of his Department.

Charles Clarke: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	Liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme37 billion
	deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing12.7 billion
	current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants34.4 billion As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.

Pensioners

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of old age pensioners reported that they (a) were victims of crime and (b) were worried about crime in 200405.

Hazel Blears: The 200405 British Crime Survey (BCS) found that older people were less likely to be victims of crime than the England and Wales average and than younger people (see Tables 1 and 2).
	Table 1 shows that 1.6 per cent. of households where the household reference person was aged 75 and over were victims of one or more burglaries in 200405, compared with 2.7 per cent. of all households and 7.1 per cent. of households where the household reference person was aged 16 to 24.
	In 200405, 2.6 per cent. of households where the household reference person was aged 75 and over were victims of one or more vehicle thefts, compared with 8.2 per cent. of all vehicle owning households and 12.1 per cent. of households where the household reference person was aged 16 to 24.
	Table 2 shows that 0.2 per cent. of men and 0.5 per cent. of women aged 75 and over were victims of one or more incidents of violence in 200405. This compares with 3.6 per cent. of all adults, 14.6 per cent. of men aged 16 to 24 and 6.3 per cent. of women aged 16 to 24.
	The latest statistics published on worry about crime by age are from the 200203 BCS (Table 3). These show that older people are generally less likely to be worried about crime than younger people, particularly car crime and violent crime. Six per cent. of men aged 75 and over had high levels of worry about being a victim of violence, compared with 16 per cent. of men aged 16 to 24, while 19 per cent. of women aged 75 and over had high levels of worry about being a victim of violence, compared with 37 per cent. of women aged 16 to 24.
	There are no published BCS figures where a distinction is made between older people who are retired and those who are still in work.
	
		Table 1: Percentage of households victims of burglary and vehicle thefts by age of household reference person, 200405 BCS -- Percentage victims once or more
		
			 Age of household reference person  All burglary  All vehicle theft 
		
		
			 1624 7.1 12.1 
			 2544 3.6 10.7 
			 4564 2.1 8.0 
			 6574 1.5 3.3 
			 75+ 1.6 2.6 
			 All households 2.7 8.2 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures for vehicle thefts based on households owning or with regular use of a vehicle.
	
		Table 2: Percentage of adult victims of violence by age, 200405 BCS -- Percentage victims once or more
		
			  All violence 
		
		
			 Men 4.7 
			 1624 14.6 
			 2544 5.0 
			 4564 2.1 
			 6574 0.4 
			 75+ 0.2 
			 Women 2.6 
			 1624 6.3 
			 2544 3.2 
			 4564 1.7 
			 6574 0.5 
			 75+ 0.5 
			 All adults 3.6 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Worry about crime by age, 200203 BCS -- Percentage with high level of worry
		
			  Burglary Car crime Violence 
		
		
			 Men 12 16 10 
			 1624 11 24 16 
			 2544 12 16 10 
			 4564 13 16 10 
			 6574 11 12 7 
			 75 or older 9 8 6 
			 Women 17 17 29 
			 1624 18 25 37 
			 2544 17 17 31 
			 4564 18 17 28 
			 6574 18 15 24 
			 75 or older 14 9 19 
			 All adults 15 17 21

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been held in police cells under lock-out arrangements in each region of England and Wales in the last 12 weeks; what the total cost of lock-outs was over this period; and what the average daily cost was.

Fiona Mactaggart: The total number of lock-outs in each prisoner escort contract area for the period between 22 September 2005 and 14 December 2005, is given in the following table.
	The average cost per prisoner per night locked out is estimated as 120. The total cost for lock-outs over this period has been estimated as 74,400. The average daily cost was therefore 886.
	This was an unusually high number of lock-outs during this period. In the following six weeks, there were 18 lock-outs.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 South Wales and West 168 
			 London and South East 380 
			 East 72 
			 North 0 
			 Total 620

Police

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when responsibility for the new Wales police force will be devolved to the National Assembly for Wales.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 13 February 2006
	We have no plans to transfer responsibility for policing to the National Assembly for Wales. We will continue to consult the National Assembly on the national policing priorities for England and Wales in the context of the annual National Community Safety plan.

Police

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) community support officers there are per 100,000 people in each police force in England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: The information requested for police officers is available from the 'Police Service Strength publication as at 31 March 2005'. This report was published on 25 July 2005 and is available in the Library of the House and on:www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1205.pdf
	The information requested for police community support officers is given in the following table.
	
		The number of police community support officers (PSCOs) per 100,000 population as at 31 March 2005.
		
			 English and Welsh Government office regions  Strength(34) Number of PCSOs per 100,000 population(35) 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 139 9 
			 Bedfordshire 40 7 
			 Cambridgeshire 86 12 
			 Cheshire 52 5 
			 Cleveland 75 14 
			 Cumbria 17 3 
			 Derbyshire 43 4 
			 Devon and Cornwall 74 5 
			 Dorset 47 7 
			 Durham 69 12 
			 Essex 179 11 
			 Gloucestershire 72 13 
			 Greater Manchester 269 11 
			 Hampshire 26 1 
			 Hertfordshire 98 9 
			 Humberside 20 2 
			 Kent 105 7 
			 Lancashire 161 11 
			 Leicestershire 103 11 
			 Lincolnshire 75 11 
			 London, City of(36)   
			 Merseyside 170 12 
			 Metropolitan Police(36) 2,161 29 
			 Norfolk 68 8 
			 Northamptonshire 37 6 
			 Northumbria 126 9 
			 North Yorkshire 75 10 
			 Nottinghamshire 108 10 
			 South Yorkshire 124 10 
			 Staffordshire 63 6 
			 Suffolk 34 5 
			 Surrey 115 11 
			 Sussex 228 15 
			 Thames Valley 98 5 
			 Warwickshire 56 11 
			 West Mercia 81 7 
			 West Midlands 219 8 
			 West Yorkshire 394 19 
			 Wiltshire 41 7 
			 Dyfed Powys 25 5 
			 Gwent 77 14 
			 North Wales 59 9 
			 South Wales 107 9 
			
			 Total of 43 forces 6,214 12 
		
	
	(34) Strength figures are based on full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number, because of rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items.
	(35) Population figures are based on the mid-2003 population figures. PCSOs per 100,000 population are combined for City of London and Metropolitan Police.
	(36) PCSO strength is combined for City of London and Metropolitan Police.

Police

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the injuries that have resulted to (a) police officers, (b) suspects and (c) uninvolved members of the public since 1997 as a result of (i) police batons and (ii) police use of pepper spray and other gases; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally and can be retrieved only at disproportionate cost.

Police

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times (a) pepper sprays and (b) batons have been (i) drawn and (ii) used by police officers since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally and could be retrieved only at disproportionate cost.

Police

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) community support officers have been employed in Bexhill-on-sea in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 30 November 2005
	This information is not available. Police numbers at basic command unit (BCU) level have been collected only since March 2002 and for community support officers since June 2005. Bexhill-on-sea is a part of the Hastings and Rother (Senlac) area basic command unit. Data on police and CSO numbers for this BCU, for the period March 2002 to June 2005, is set out in the table.
	
		Hastings and Rother (Senlac) BCUpolice officer and CSO strength, 2002 to 2005 -- Number
		
			 As at 31 March: Officers Community support officers 
		
		
			 2002(37) 254.8 n/a 
			 2003(38) 291 n/a 
			 2004(38) 294 n/a 
			 2005(38) 302.36 (39)36 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	(37) Data collected by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	(38) Data collected by Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.
	(39) As at 30 June 2005.

Police

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women police constables there are in England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is available in the 'Police Service Strength publication as at 31 March 2005'. This report was published on 25 July 2005 and is available in the Library of the House and on: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1205.pdf

Prison Construction (Funding)

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department last assessed the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of (i) conventional and (ii) private finance initiative funding for the construction of new prisons; and what the outcome of that assessment was.

Fiona Mactaggart: The last occasion when such an assessment was made was in respect of the business case for the procurement of the two most recent prisons to open, HMP Bronzefield and HMP Peterborough. The outcome of the business case was that the procurement of previous prisons designed, constructed, managed and financed under the private finance initiative (PFI) had shown value for money based on savings over their public sector comparators and that therefore the prisons should be procured through PFI.

Prisoners

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the most effective programmes for preventing offending and reoffending by individuals with personality disorders; how many such programmes are running; and at what financial cost.

Fiona Mactaggart: A review of treatments for severe personality disorder published in 2003 (available at www.dspdprogramme.gov.uk) surveyed the available evidence on the effectiveness of personality disorder interventions. The review suggested that interventions based on a therapeutic community model offer the most promising outcomes, however reliable evidence of long-term effectiveness (including reconviction) is extremely limited.
	An integrated pilot programme has been established by the Home Office and the Department of Health for assessing and treating offenders identified as having dangerous and severe personality disorder (DSPD). The four main sites are located in two high-security prisons and two high-security hospitals. There are a further five pilot services in the national health system in medium security and the community. Arrangements have been made to carry out a detailed evaluation of the early implementation of these pilot services.
	When these services are fully operational it is estimated that the cost per place per year in prisons would be about 100,000 and in hospitals 225,000.

Public Disorder

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been served in each of the last three years in each constituency in Lancashire.

Hazel Blears: Information on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at constituency level is not collected centrally. A table giving a breakdown by the local government authority area in which prohibitions are imposed within ASBOs is available on the Crime Reduction website at www.crimereduction.gov.uk This table gives data by year since ASBOs were introduced up to 30 June 2005 (latest available).

Race Equality Projects

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what race equality projects aimed at young black men his Department sponsors; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office has recently launched an experts group called REACH, which seeks to raise aspiration and achievement among young Black men. The panel includes academics, representatives of the voluntary and community sector, teachers, business people, law enforcement and officials. They will meet for a year, and will present their final report to Paul Goggins, the Minister for Race Equality and Community Cohesion.
	Through the Connecting Communities grants programme, the Home Office funded VOIS, which runs the Black Male Forum, 606,504 over three years from September 2003 to March 2006.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the (a) Chair and (b) Director Designate of the Serious Organised Crime Agency; if he will place the minutes of the meeting in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Home Secretary and I meet the Chair and Director General (Designate) of the Serious Organised Crime Agency regularly. I last met them on the 9 February 2006. The minutes of such meetings are not routinely made public.

Shrewsbury Prison

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on average were held in Shrewsbury Prison in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1999, (d) 2001 and (e) 2005.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested, as recorded on the Prison Service IT system, is provided in the following table.
	
		Average number of Prisoners in Shrewsbury(40)
		
			  Total occupied 
		
		
			 1995 282 
			 1996 304 
			 1999 314 
			 2001 326 
			 2005 285 
		
	
	(40) annual average of monthly totals as at last day of the month

Somalia

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Somalian citizens were returned to Somalia having failed to acquire asylum status in the UK in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office holds information on the number of failed asylum seekers removed, the information on the destination of asylum removals has been recorded since the start of 2004, information prior to this is unavailable.
	The latest published information on removal of asylum seekers covers the third quarter of 2005, information that covers the final quarter of 2005 will be published at the end of February.
	In 2004 there were 25 failed asylum seekers (principal applicants) returned to Somalia who were nationals of Somalia. From January to September 2005 there were 10 such removals. These figures include people departing 'Voluntarily' after enforcement action has been initiated against them and people leaving under Assisted Voluntary Returns programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five and are provisional.
	Information on the number of asylum removals is published quarterly and annually in the regular asylum statistics, copies of which are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Special Constables

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what average number of hours per week was worked by a special constable in (a) Leicester and (b) England and Wales in each year since the beginning of the scheme;
	(2)  what funding his Department has allocated to the special constables scheme in each year it has been running in (a) Leicester and (b) England and Wales;
	(3)  what training is provided for special constables;
	(4)  how many special constables have been recruited in (a) Leicester and (b) England and Wales since the beginning of the scheme.

Hazel Blears: Home Office specific grants to forces under the Special Constabulary Capacity Building Scheme began in January 2004. In the year 1 April 200431 March 2005, 58 special constables were recruited by Leicestershire Constabulary, with 3,636 special constables recruited in England and Wales.
	Grant payments to forces during the first two years of the scheme are shown in the table. Applications for year three grant are currently being considered.
	
		
		
			  2004 2005 
		
		
			 Leicestershire 41,742 51,037 
			 All forces in England and Wales 2,044,054 2,473,009 
		
	
	Special constables are volunteers and the hours individual specials work varies. Available information on the average number of special constable hours worked per week are as follows:
	
		Hours
		
			  200304 200405 
		
		
			 Leicestershire 354 479 
			 24 forces providing data 16,606 18,281 
		
	
	(Forces not providing data are Avon and Somerset, Cambridgeshire, Cleveland, Derbyshire, Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Lancashire, Merseyside, Metropolitan police, North Wales, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Wales, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and West Midlands.)
	Forces are responsible for ensuring that their special constables receive training necessary to enable them to undertake their duties. A specials learning and development programme was introduced last year to provide a professional and consistent approach to training, allowing specials to develop in the workplace alongside their regular colleagues.

Speed Cameras

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the accuracy rate for mobile speed cameras; what independent checks are carried out to monitor accuracy; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: All speed limit enforcement equipment used by the police to produce evidence for use in court has to be of a type approved by the Secretary of State. The UK type approval regime is stringent and highly regarded worldwide. The type approval process requires an initial demonstration of a device, followed by practical field tests conducted by police forces. Only if these are completed satisfactorily will the device be considered for type approval. For type approval to be granted the device has also to have been submitted to an independent test laboratory for technical performance tests. Type approval will be granted only if the results from the laboratory record a satisfactory performance. Once a device has been type approved, it cannot be changed in any way without Home Office agreement and is subject to annual calibration to ensure its continuing accuracy.

Status Papers

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints his Department has received each year since 1997 regarding incorrect details on status papers.

Tony McNulty: While the Immigration and Nationality Directorate does classify complaints received in terms of the operational issues raised, there is no specific category for complaints about incorrect details on status papers.

Suicide (Immigration Detention Centres)

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, columns 76162W, on suicide, how many apparently self-inflicted deaths have occurred in immigration detention centres in each of the last two years; on what dates they occurred; and what were the nationalities of each of the deceased.

Andy Burnham: There have been two deaths in custody verdict unknown, awaiting outcome of coroner's inquest, during 2004 and one confirmed suicide. These occurred on 19 July 2004 (Ukranian), 23 July 2004 (Vietnamese, confirmed suicide) and 19 October 2004 (Nigerian).
	There have been two deaths in custody verdict unknown, awaiting outcome of coroner's inquest, during 2005. These occurred on 27 June 2005 (Turkish) and 14 September 2005 (Angolan).

Swindon (Arrests)

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made in Swindon between (a) 12 November and 24 December 2004 and (b) 12 November and 24 December 2005.

Hazel Blears: The requested data are not collected centrally.

Under-age Drinking

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notice offences have been issued for (a) selling alcohol to a person under 18 years, (b) the purchase of alcohol for a person under 18 years on licensed premises, (c) the consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 years and (d) allowing delivery of alcohol to a person under 18 years in each basic command unit in England and Wales.

Charles Clarke: The offences for which data is requested were added to the Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) scheme with effect from 1 November 2004. The latest available figures showing the number of penalty notices issued for these offences from November 2004 to September 2005, broken down by police force area, are provided in the following table.
	
		Number of penalty notices for disorder issued for selected offences related to alcohol, by police force area, NovemberDecember 2004 and JanuarySeptember 2005 provisional data.
		
			  NovemberDecember 2004 
			 Police force Sell alcohol to person under 18 Purchase alcohol in licensed premises for under 18 Delivery of alcohol to under 18 or allowing delivery Consumption of alcohol by under 18 in licensed premises Purchase of alcohol for consumption in licensed premises for under 18 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset  
			 Bedfordshire  
			 Cambridgeshire  
			 Cheshire  1
			 City of London  
			 Cleveland  2
			 Cumbria  
			 Derbyshire  1
			 Devon and Cornwall  
			 Dorset 22 
			 Durham  
			 Essex 7 1 2   
			 Gloucestershire   1   
			 Greater Manchester  1 1   
			 Hampshire 2 2
			 Hertfordshire   1   
			 Humberside 2 
			 Kent  
			 Lancashire 30 2
			 Leicestershire 2 1
			 Lincolnshire  
			 Merseyside 2 1 2   
			 Metropolitan Police 21  11   
			 Norfolk  
			 North Yorkshire  
			 Northamptonshire 1 
			 Northumbria 1 1
			 Nottinghamshire 9 
			 South Yorkshire 2 1
			 Staffordshire  1
			 Suffolk  
			 Surrey  
			 Sussex  
			 Thames Valley  
			 Warwickshire  1
			 West Mercia 1 1
			 West Midlands 6   2  
			 West Yorkshire 4 1  5  
			 Wiltshire  
			   
			 Dyfed-Powys  
			 Gwent  
			 North Wales 1  2   
			 South Wales  
			   
			 England and Wales 113 18 20 7  
		
	
	
		
			  JanuarySeptember 2005 provisional data 
			 Police force Sell alcohol to person under 18 Purchase alcohol in licensed premises for under 18 Delivery of alcohol to under 18 or allowing delivery Consumption of alcohol by under 18 in licensed premises Purchase alcohol in licensed premises for under 18 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 32 3 2   
			 Bedfordshire  
			 Cambridgeshire  
			 Cheshire 20  5  2 
			 City of London  
			 Cleveland 15 2 1 1  
			 Cumbria 10  1   
			 Derbyshire 3 8 3 3 4 
			 Devon and Cornwall 15 8 4  2 
			 Dorset 19 1 1   
			 Durham 1 
			 Essex 85 1 14  1 
			 Gloucestershire 24  1  1 
			 Greater Manchester 63 3 7 3 3 
			 Hampshire 21 8 7 1  
			 Hertfordshire 2  2  2 
			 Humberside 29 1  3 3 
			 Kent 7 4 4  4 
			 Lancashire 102 12 10 5  
			 Leicestershire 18  3  9 
			 Lincolnshire 2 1 3 4  
			 Merseyside 43 11 15 7 16 
			 Metropolitan Police 39 5 5 2 6 
			 Norfolk  1
			 North Yorkshire  
			 Northamptonshire 26  3   
			 Northumbria 7 9 3  1 
			 Nottinghamshire 33 4 1   
			 South Yorkshire 45 2 9   
			 Staffordshire  4 1 2  
			 Suffolk 2  1  1 
			 Surrey  
			 Sussex 18 2   2 
			 Thames Valley 3  3   
			 Warwickshire 2  2   
			 West Mercia 14 2 1 2  
			 West Midlands 25 1 2  1 
			 West Yorkshire 29 1 3 4 1 
			 Wiltshire 4   1  
			   
			 Dyfed-Powys 3  1   
			 Gwent 1 
			 North Wales 12 7 23 2 3 
			 South Wales 464 
			   
			 England and Wales 818 101 141 40 68 
		
	
	Source:
	RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Voluntary Organisations (Compact Agreements)

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with which voluntary organisations the Department has a formal national Compact agreement.

Paul Goggins: The Compact on Relations between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector covers all central Government Departments (including Government Offices for the Regions, Executive Agencies, and NDPBs) and the range of organisations in the voluntary and community sector. All voluntary and community sector organisations that have dealings with central Government are covered by the national Compact.

Work Permits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of proficiency in English is required when applying for a highly skilled work permit.

Tony McNulty: There is no specified level of English language proficiency required within the highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP) before approval may be granted.
	The intention of the HSMP is to attract those highly skilled migrants who wish to continue their chosen career in the UK and intend to make the UK their main home.
	For this reason, individuals are required to declare in their HSMP application that they possess the necessary level of English language skills to enable them to pursue their chosen career in the UK.

Workers Registration Scheme

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account was taken in his Department's international migration estimates for 2004 for accession country citizens of those who were in the country before May 2004 and who then registered on the Workers Registration Scheme after that date.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on whether the international migration estimates for 2004 take account of citizens from the 2004 accession countries who were in the UK before May 2004 and who then registered on the Workers Registration Scheme after that date. (51186)
	International migration estimates are produced using data from several sources, the most important of which is the International Passenger Survey (IPS). This is a sample survey that covers the principal sea, air and Channel routes between the UK and countries outside of the British Isles. Migrants are defined as persons who, on entry to the UK, state an intention to stay for a year or more. Such intentions may not be realised. Migration flows of citizens from EU accession countries who arrived in the UK prior to May 2004 were estimated from the IPS and included in the international migration estimates.
	It is estimated that 52,600 citizens of the 10 accession countries migrated to the UK in 2004, about 30 per cent. of these migrants arrived in the first six months of the year.
	At present we have not incorporated information from the WRS into the migration estimates because in theory they should be represented in the IPS sample. We are considering how we could use the information to quality assure any changing patterns.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Benchers (Chelmsford Crown Court)

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many and what percentage of (a) the English Bar and (b) judges sitting in Chelmsford Crown court are Benchers.

Harriet Harman: The Government do not hold the records relating to Benchers of the Inns of Court (Grays Inn, Inner Temple, Lincolns Inn and Middle Temple). Each of the four Inns has a list of its own Benchers.

Benchers (Chelmsford Crown Court)

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the judges sitting in Chelmsford Crown court; what relevant specialist qualifications each holds; whether each is a Bencher; and what the career details are of each.

Harriet Harman: Nine circuit judges are based at and sit regularly in the Crown court at Chelmsford.
	His Honour Judge Christopher Ball QC
	Resident Judge at Chelmsford Crown Court since 2004
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2001
	Appointed Recorder in 1993
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1990
	His Honour Judge Peter Dedman
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2000
	Appointed Recorder in 1992
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1987
	His Honour Judge Rodger Hayward Smith QC
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2002
	Appointed Recorder in 1986
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1982
	His Honour Judge Charles Gratwicke
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2003
	Appointed Recorder in 2000
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1998
	His Honour Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2004
	Appointed Recorder in 1999
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1995
	His Honour Judge David Turner QC
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2004
	Appointed Recorder in 2000
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1998
	His Honour Judge Peter Fenn
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2005
	Appointed Recorder in 2003
	His Honour Judge Roderick Newton
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2005
	Appointed Recorder in 2000
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1998
	Her Honour Judge Deborah Taylor
	Appointed Circuit Judge in 2005
	Appointed Recorder in 2000
	Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1999
	The Government do not hold the records relating to Benchers of the Inns of Court (Grays Inn, Inner Temple, Lincolns Inn and Middle Temple). Each of the four Inns has a list of its own Benchers.
	Prior to their appointment as circuit judges, applicants have to meet the statutory requirement for the office of (a) either a 10-year Crown court qualification, i.e. they have had Rights of Audience to appear as an advocate in the Crown court, or (b) they are a recorder, or (c) the holder of one of a number of other judicial offices of at least three years' standing in a salaried capacity.

Cemetery Safety

Richard Spring: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  when the proposed new Government guidelines on the safety of cemetery memorials will be announced;
	(2)  what guidance the Government have issued to burial authorities on the safety of cemetery memorials;
	(3)  how many injuries have occurred as a result of unsafe cemetery memorials in (a) England and (b) Suffolk in each year since 1997.

Harriet Harman: Our assessment of the existing guidance on this matter from burial professionals and others has recently been completed. We are now preparing advice which, following consultation, we plan to publish later this year. The Government have not previously issued guidance on this subject.
	An accurate record has not been kept of the total number of injuries arising from unsafe cemetery memorials since 1997 but there have been 21 serious accidents to members of the public, including three fatalities, in the five years prior to June 2004.

Census 1911

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she has made a calculation of the revenue that could be obtained from the publication of any information under the 1911 census.

Harriet Harman: The National Archives is developing plans to make available the 1911 census returns available online to the widest possible audience in 2012. The revenues that this service might generate will depend on a variety of factors, including the processing of the records, the application of up-to-date technologies and pricing. It is not possible to calculate revenue estimates so far ahead of the projected release date.

Census 1911

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many individuals have made representations (a) in favour of and (b) against the publication of any information under the 1911 census.

Harriet Harman: Since the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act in January 2005, The National Archives has received 171 requests for access to information contained in the 1911 census returns, and 14 appeals from inquirers who have been denied access to information contained in the 1911 census returns.
	The National Archives has not recently received any representations from members of the public against release of information in the 1911 census.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the target level of employment expressed as full-time equivalents is in her Department by April 2008, in order to meet her Department's civil service workforce reductions target set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Bridget Prentice: The target level of employment in my Department by April 2008, expressed as full-time equivalents (FTEs) is 24,032 FTEs. This reflects a net headcount reduction of 1,100 FTEs from an April 2004 baseline of 23,332 FTEs. It takes into account increases to the Department's workforce resulting from the transfer of magistrates courts staff from local government into DCA.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what interim targets she has set for achieving (a) the agreed efficiency target for her Department and (b) the civil service workforce reductions targets for (i) gross reductions in posts, (ii) net reductions in posts and (iii) relocations for her Department, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review; what the baseline figures are against which these interim targets are assessed; on what dates they will take effect; and by what dates these interim targets are intended to be met.

Bridget Prentice: All savings agreed by my Department, including both financial savings and headcount reductions, are to be delivered by 31 March 2008. My Department's relocation target, agreed under the Lyons Review, of 200 posts is to be delivered by 31 March 2010. No interim targets have been set, and progress towards achieving the Department's overall efficiency agenda will be reported both in our autumn performance reports and annual departmental reports.

Coroner's Court Service

Brian Iddon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she plans to change the statutory officer status of the officers within the coroner's system to allow them access to an employment tribunal should they be unfairly dismissed.

Harriet Harman: We have no plans to change the statutory office holder status of coroners. I expect to publish a draft Bill reforming the coroner service in the late spring, and there will be opportunity for scrutiny of, and consultation on, its contents before a Bill proper is introduced to the House when parliamentary time allows.

Court Hearings

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement in response to the National Audit Office's report on the effective use of magistrates court hearings.

Harriet Harman: The National Audit Office's report on the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in making effective use of magistrates court trials and hearings points to areas where the courts can assist the CPS in making better use of its resources. HMCS is working with the CPS to improve the arrangements so that cases in the magistrates courts are dealt with speedily and efficiently with just outcomes. Speeding up summary justice is a priority for HMCS and there are pilot schemes in four areas to improve the effectiveness of hearings, increasing the number of cases where the defendant pleads guilty at the earliest stage and reducing the number of unnecessary listings before final disposal.

Court Hearings

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost to the public purse was of abortive hearings in magistrates courts which did not go ahead as planned in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The National Audit Office Report, 'Crown Prosecution Service: Effective use of Magistrates Court Hearings' (published 15 February 2006) estimated that 173 million was spent last year on trials and hearings in magistrates courts that did not go ahead as planned.

Court Hearings

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she is taking to decrease the number of court hearings which did not go ahead as planned.

Harriet Harman: Her Majesty's Courts Service, along with CJS partners, has introduced the Criminal Case Management programme to address abortive hearings in the courts. CCMP has tackled the root cause of the many different problems which lead to ineffective hearings such as defendants not turning up at court, witnesses also being absent, the prosecution and defence not being sufficiently ready and there being insufficient court time to hear a case. Additionally, HMCS and its partners are testing new approaches to case management with the aim of further reducing the number of abortive hearings at court.

Courts (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average time was from arrest to sentencing for cases leading to conviction in (a) York magistrates court and (b) York Crown court (i) in 1997 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: Information on the average time from arrest to sentencing for cases leading to conviction is not held centrally for either the Crown and magistrates court and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Information

Roger Gale: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent on her Department's public relations and information services in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: Since the Department was created in June 2003 it has spent the following amounts on information services:
	
		
		
			   Project Expenditure on information services 
		
		
			 200304 Magistrates recruitment 63,330 
			 200405 as above 79,589 
			 200506 as above 134,297 
		
	
	It has had no expenditure on PR.

Departmental Meetings

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many times her Department has met (a) the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) the police service and (c) other criminal justice agencies in the last 12 months.

Harriet Harman: My Officials, both in the Department for Constitutional Affairs and in Her Majesty's Courts Service, and I meet regularly with the CPS, police and other criminal justice agencies. This is done formally through the National Criminal Justice Board and Local Criminal Justice Board meetings, but also at court and Local Justice Area level through regular and ad hoc Court User, Joint Performance and other meetings.

Domestic Violence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what advice her Department has received from the Domestic Violence Advisory Group on domestic violence issues in the last 12 months.

Harriet Harman: The Department has received no formal advice. The Domestic Violence Advisory Group is a forum for the discussion, development and delivery of government policies on domestic violence. In the last 12 months, the group has commented on:
	The National Domestic Violence Report and key commitments;
	The final report on Caerphilly (Gwent) and Croydon specialist court evaluation;
	The Specialist Court programme and Integrated Domestic Violence court pilot; and
	Children and Adoption Bill.

Electoral Reform

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make it her policy to lower the voting age to 16 years; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Government are concerned at the decline in participation in the democratic process by young people. It notes the recommendation in the independent Electoral Commission's report Age of Electoral Majority (April 2004) that the minimum voting age should be kept at 18 for now, but that this should be reviewed again within five to seven years. The Electoral Administration Bill currently under consideration by Parliament includes a provision to reduce the minimum age of candidacy for elections from 21 to 18. The Government will keep the voting age under active consideration.

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received on enabling voters to cast their vote from any polling station in their constituency; what plans she has to make this option available; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: In October 2005 the DCA issued a prospectus calling for applications to conduct pilots at the May 2005 elections. Ten local authorities applied to conduct early voting from alternative locations, of which seven of these have been approved. Early voting from alternative locations has also been piloted in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Work on some of these pilots will help explore the potential future use of the technology available to enable voters to vote from any polling station in their local authority area.

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of postal voting on voter turnout; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The turnout of those electors who choose to vote by post is higher than the percentage who vote at polling stations.
	The turnout in 2005 general elections for postal electors was 76.7 per cent. compared to 59.5 per cent. for in-person electors, a difference of 17.2 per cent.

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on voter registration of rolling registration for electoral registers since its introduction; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Rolling registration allows names to be added to the electoral register at any time of the year and enables people who have moved home or otherwise been excluded from being registered to be included in respect of their current place of residence. The Office for National Statistics published on 23 February figures in respect of the size of the electorate as of 1 December 2005 following the annual registration canvass which revealed that for the second successive year there has been an increase in the number of electors included in the electoral registers in the United Kingdom.

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many local authorities applied to take part in electoral modernisation pilots for the May 2006 local elections; how many were accepted; and what criteria were used in making the selection.

Harriet Harman: The Government received 34 applications from 32 local authorities to take part in electoral modernisation pilots at the May 2006 local elections. Of these, 16 were accepted following consultation with the Electoral Commission. The criteria used in making the selection was that issued to local authorities in our prospectus of 31 October 2005. A copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) current and (b) future status of the Co-ordinated Online Register of Electors.

Harriet Harman: The Co-ordinated Online Record of Electors (CORE) will provide a convenient single point of access to national users of electoral register data, including the political parties and the Electoral Commission.
	The Department has been working with providers of electoral register software, and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) with in house systems, to ensure each are able to output electoral register data to a future CORE system in a standard format. Quality assurance testing will be completed during February. The ability of each system to accept data in this standard format, which will support rolling registration, will be developed over the next quarter. The cost of this work is being met by the Government.
	The Electoral Administration Bill currently before Parliament contains a number of clauses dealing with CORE. These clauses will allow for the implementation of the decisions that come from the discussion and responses generated by the consultation document.

Electoral Reform

James Duddridge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent representations she has received concerning voter turnout in the 2005 General Election.

Harriet Harman: Last October, The Electoral Commission published its report Election 2005: turnout How many, who and why?, which provides a comprehensive analysis breakdown of data on turnout at the May 2005 General Election.

Electoral Reform

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when she expects decisions on the next steps for the review of electoral systems to be taken.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1054W to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws).

Electoral Reform

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what evidence the review of electoral systems is examining; and when it is expected to report.

Bridget Prentice: The Government's internal review is desk-based, examining a range of existing publications and materials. These include, for example, the reports of the Independent Commission on the Voting Systems (the Jenkins report), the Independent Commission on Proportional Representation (ICPR), and the Arbuthnott Commission's report on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems. Decisions regarding any next steps for the review will be taken in due course.

Electoral Reform

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs why her Department's review of electoral systems is not mentioned (a) on the Department's website and (b) in the Department's autumn review.

Bridget Prentice: The Government's review of electoral systems is an internal one. At this stage of the review, it was not considered appropriate to include this information on the Department's website, or in the Department's autumn report.

Electoral System

Danny Alexander: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Government's response is to the conclusions of the Arbuthnott Commission regarding the electoral system for the UK Parliament.

Harriet Harman: The Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems was set up to examine the consequences of having four different voting systems in Scotland. The Commission reported on 19 January and the Secretary of State for Scotland has indicated that he will respond to the Arbuthnott Report in due course.
	An internal Government review of the experiences of the new electoral systems introduced for the devolved administrations, European Parliament and the London assembly elections is currently under way within my Department. The Government's conclusions on the Arbuthnott Report will be considered as part of this review.

Freedom of Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many appeals have been received by the Information Commissioner in each month since the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and in each month how many have (a) been determined and allowed in whole, (b) been determined and allowed in part, (c) been determined and refused and (d) not yet been determined.

Harriet Harman: The answer to this question is set out in the two following tables: (1) Number of cases received per month and number of cases yet to be determined per month; (2) Number and status of cases closed by month of receipt and information on cases which have been closed by informal resolution.
	
		Table 1: Number of cases received per month and number of cases yet to be determined per month
		
			  Cases received per month Cases yet to be determined per month 
		
		
			 January 19 1 
			 February 134 26 
			 March 212 56 
			 April 290 105 
			 May 252 113 
			 June 203 114 
			 July 273 164 
			 August 243 184 
			 September 232 177 
			 October 191 147 
			 November 185 121 
			 December 152 66 
			 January 2006 183 99 
			 Total 2,569 1,373 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Number and status of cases closed by month of receipt
		
			  Status of closed case 
			  Allowed in whole Allowed in part Refused Informally resolved Total 
		
		
			 January 3  11 4 18 
			 February 3 2 80 23 108 
			 March 8 8 79 61 156 
			 April 15 6 81 83 185 
			 May 13 4 59 63 139 
			 June 4 2 50 33 89 
			 July 5  74 30 109 
			 August 3  36 20 59 
			 September 4 1 33 17 55 
			 October   32 12 44 
			 November 1  43 20 64 
			 December   58 28 86 
			 January 2006  1 60 23 84 
			 Total 59 24 696 417 1,196

Freedom of Information

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs why there has been a delay in the publication of advice on (a) the 100 year census closure policy and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and (b) the Bird's Custard case; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The information is as follows.
	(a) The reasons for the Government's policy to release decennial census returns after a period of 100 years were set out in full by the hon. member for Tottenham in an adjournment debate on 29 March 2004, Official Report, columns 13941402. Members of the public who request access to the 1911 census returns at the National Archives are given an explanation of this policy and, if appropriate, are advised of their rights of appeal under the Freedom of Information Act.
	(b) Since January 2005 the National Archives has denied five requests to access information contained in the 1911 census relating to Tudor Grange, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, and to Sir Alfred Bird and his family.

Freedom of Information

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance the Information Commissioner has issued on the sale of drivers' personal data held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for commercial purposes.

Harriet Harman: The Information Commissioner has published guidance on the sale of drivers' personal data called 'Implications of the Use and Disclosure of Vehicle Keeper Information'. The Information Commissioner's Office will be making a detailed submission to the Department for Transport consultation on DVLA data which was published on the 16 February 2006.
	This current guidance can be found at: http://www.ico.gov.uk/documentUploads/Dvla.pdf.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1532W, on identity cards, whether her Department has concluded its work on calculating costs in the areas where identity cards will be used in her Department.

Harriet Harman: Work on calculating costs in the areas where identity cards will be used in my Department is continuing.

Law Officers (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the term of office is of (a) the lord lieutenant of Lancashire, (b) deputy lieutenants of Lancashire and (c) the high sheriff of Lancashire.

Harriet Harman: There is no minimum or maximum term of office for lord-lieutenants, but they are required to retire at the age of 75. Deputy lieutenants normally serve for a minimum of five years and retire from the active list on reaching the age of 75. They may retain the title of deputy lieutenant on the supplementary list.
	High sheriffs are appointed annually and serve for one year.

Law Officers (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what rules apply to the appointment of (a) deputy lieutenants and (b) high sheriffs of Lancashire who reside outside the county.

Harriet Harman: Under the terms of section 2 of the Lieutenancies Act 1997, deputy lieutenants for Lancashire are required to live in, or within 7 miles from the boundary of, the County of Lancashire. Before they are appointed, deputy lieutenants are required to give a written assurance that they will, to the best of their ability, assist in the performance of any public duty which may be laid upon the Lord Lieutenant.
	There are no residency requirements for a high sheriff but the same rules are applied as for deputy lieutenants.

Law Officers (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs who keeps the register of (a) (i) political and (ii) financial interests and (b) membership of outside groups in respect of (A) deputy lieutenants and (B) high sheriffs in Lancashire.

Harriet Harman: There is no register of the political or financial interests, or membership of outside groups, of deputy lieutenants and high sheriffs in Lancashire. Deputy lieutenants and high sheriffs are aware that their role is essentially non-political and impartial.

Legal Aid

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what objections she has received to the proposed changes to legal aid.

Bridget Prentice: On 9 February Lord Carter published his interim reportProcurement of Criminal Defence Services: A Market Based Approach to Reformwhich represents excellent progress. The Government will respond on the detail of the proposals once Lord Carter publishes his final report in late spring. That report will contain a worked through and fully costed implementation plan for delivering a procurement system that achieves maximum value for money and control over spending whilst ensuring quality and the fairness of the justice system.
	The Government continue to offer their full support to the provisions within the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) Bill that will facilitate the introduction of a new financial eligibility test and the transfer of responsibility for the grant of legal aid from the courts to the Legal Services Commission. The CDS Bill is still before Parliament and is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly.

Legal Services Commission

Philip Dunne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what provisions her Department has made for those seeking specialist advice on complex cases, following the decision of the Legal Services Commission to withdraw funding from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) on 16 February.

Legal Services Commission

Philip Dunne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what effect on costs to the public purse are expected from the decision of the Legal Services Commission to withdraw funding from the Citizens Advice Bureau for specialist support and advice to clients on complex cases in (a) Shropshire and (b) England.

Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission's decision to withdraw funding for specialist support services will refocus resources within the existing civil legal aid budget in England and Wales. It is not intended to increase or decrease costs overall.

Legal Services Ombudsman

John Mann: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions she has had with the legal services ombudsman about the powers available to strike off solicitors who do not abide by Law Society adjudication decisions.

Bridget Prentice: None. The legal services ombudsman currently has no powers to strike off solicitors who do not abide by Law Society adjudication panel's decisions. If a solicitor fails to comply with an adjudication panel decision that can in itself amount to professional misconduct and the Law Society has the power to institute disciplinary proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on that basis. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has the power to strike a solicitor off the roll for professional misconduct.

Magistrates (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the process is for becoming a magistrate in Lancashire.

Harriet Harman: The process for becoming a magistrate in Lancashire is the same as in other parts of England and Wales. Magistrates are appointed by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of and in the name of HM the Queen. Candidates are recommended for appointment by local Advisory Committees (ACs) following a two-stage interview process in which they will be assessed against six key personal qualities: good character, understanding and communication, social awareness, maturity and sound temperament, sound judgment and commitment and reliability. The process requires applicants to complete an application form, which is checked for eligibility. Successful candidates are subject to background checks for any conflicts of interest and exceptional circumstances before being recommended for appointment. The Lancashire AC has five sub-committees which engage in this process.

Magistrates (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many court cases were held at each magistrates court in Lancashire in 200405.

Harriet Harman: Lancashire magistrates courts held 66,582 criminal proceedings, 1,184 family applications, 9,266 licensing applications, and 2,191 other civil applications in the financial year April 2004 to March 2005.
	Information is not available for individual magistrates courts within Lancashire.

Office for Legal Complaints

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what measures her Department is taking to ensure representation for consumer interests in the proposed Office for Legal Complaints.

Bridget Prentice: I advised this House in my written statement of 17 October 2005, Official Report, column 41WS of the Government's proposals to take forward consumer focussed reform of the framework for the regulation of legal services. The proposals for the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) were set out in 'The Future of Legal Servicesputting the customers first' (Cm 6679) including that it should have a governing board with a lay majority. Members will also be required to have wide experience, including of consumer affairs and the needs of diverse consumers within society.
	The Legal Services Board (LSB), which will set targets for the OLC and to which the OLC will be accountable, will also be required to establish and maintain a consumer panel to ensure that consumer needs inform its decisions, including in relation to its oversight of the OLC.

Office for Legal Complaints

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Department will set up the Office for Legal Complaints.

Bridget Prentice: A draft Legal Services Bill, including provisions for the establishment of an Office for Legal Complaints, will receive pre-legislative scrutiny in this parliamentary session. Legislation will follow as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Office for Legal Complaints

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what arrangements her Department is making for the (a) financing and (b) staffing of the Office for Legal Complaints.

Bridget Prentice: The Government are clear that the cost of the new arrangements should be met by the legal professions. We continue to engage with stakeholders on the detail, but the legislation will set out the broad parameters, which will provide for costs to be met through a combination of a general levy and a polluter pays mechanism.
	The Government set out proposals in 'The Future of Legal Servicesputting the consumer first' (Cm 6679) for an Office for Legal Complaints that is a new and independent organisation in which consumers can have confidence. However, it is important to treat staff affected by these changes fairly, and the Government's position is that TUPE will govern the transfer of staff.

Office for Legal Complaints

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what common features her Department plans to maintain between the customer complaints service of the Law Society and the Office for Legal Complaints.

Bridget Prentice: The principal driver behind the Government's proposals is to put the consumer first. In achieving that, the Government will ensure that it maintains the best of the existing arrangements. The Office for Legal Complaints will incorporate a number of features that represent best practice, including being governed by a board consisting of a majority of lay members.

Parliamentary Constituencies

Peter Bone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if the Government will take steps to lessen the differences in the number of people in each parliamentary constituency.

Harriet Harman: The Parliamentary Boundary Commissions review parliamentary boundaries every 8 to 12 years. The Boundary Commissions take into account the electoral quota, in addition to factors such as geographical and community matters. The Boundary Commission for England is currently conducting its General Review and is required to submit its report to Parliament by April 2007.

Pre-trial Hearings

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of pre-trial hearings were estimated by her Department not to have gone ahead as planned in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the most common reasons are for hearings not going ahead as planned; and how many cases were attributed to each of these reasons in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: Information on the number of pre-trial hearings is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Scott Inquiry

Peter Law: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which Government Department holds the collection of written submissions made to the inquiry held by Sir Richard Scott into military equipment exports to Iraq; and whether this information is publicly accessible on request.

Harriet Harman: The published Scott report is held at The National Archives. Further, additional material is held at the Cabinet Office, and requests to view this material can be made through a freedom of information inquiry.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the civil service workforce reductions targets for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the Review.

Bridget Prentice: My Department has split delivery of its target headcount reductions of 1,100 full-time equivalents between the central department and Her Majesty's Courts Service. The former strand is expected to deliver savings of 9 million in 200708 as a result of achieving 300 of the 1,100 full-time equivalent reductions set out in the 2004 Spending Review. These savings count towards the agreed 292 million target described therein. The remaining 800 full-time equivalent reductions are to be delivered by Her Majesty's Courts Service, and the savings from these form part of the 41 million target they will contribute to the overall total by 31 March 2008.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much of the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent.

Bridget Prentice: Of the efficiency target for my Department of 292 million, set out in the 2004 Spending Review, 57 million will be in cashable savings.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what total efficiency savings were achieved by her Department in 200405; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Bridget Prentice: My Department agreed, in the 2004 Spending Review, an efficiency target of 292 million to be achieved in 200708. We will deliver savings in earlier years as we build up to this level. No savings prior to the 2004 Spending Review period count towards this.

Trials

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what processes are in place for the Crown Prosecution Service, police and other criminal justice agencies to discuss agendas and dates for trials.

Harriet Harman: Listing is a judicial function and dates tend to be discussed and agreed in court in consultation with a list officer. The aim is to list cases as early as possible but so that the parties are given enough time to prepare properly. Listing has to balance a number of conflicting demands and any representations made by a party will be considered on their merits. There are mechanisms in place locally to enable representatives from the criminal justice agencies to meet regularly to discuss any concerns they may have associated with listing practices.

Voting Rights

Diana Johnson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the planned consultation document on prisoners' voting rights will cover the position of mental health patients detained under the criminal justice system.

Harriet Harman: No decision has yet been taken on the detailed contents of the consultation paper on the voting rights of prisoners within the UK, following the judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights on 6 October 2005.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

A380 Airbus

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the UK's share is of the costs of the A380 Airbus initiative; and what estimate he has made of the number of jobs for UK citizens this initiative has (a) created and (b) safeguarded (i) in the UK and (ii) overseas.

Alun Michael: The Government committed support of 530 million in repayable launch investment for the design and development of the wings for the A3 80 by Airbus UK. In addition, the Government committed support of 250 million in repayable launch investment for the design and development of the Trent 600 and 900 engines by Rolls-Roycethe Trent 900 engine powers the A380.
	The original estimate of the number of jobs created both directly and indirectly by the A380 project was 22,000. It was also estimated that it would help to safeguard the 62,000 Airbus-related jobs in the UK. A further 7,000 jobs were to be safeguarded by the investment in the Trent 900.
	Today, Airbus employs a total of 55,000 people with 13,000 of those jobs at Airbus UK. Rolls-Royce employs a total of 36,000 people with 21,000 of those jobs in the UK.

ACPO 2004 International Police Conference and Exhibition

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications were made for trade licences in connection with the ACPO 2004 International Police Conference and Exhibition held at the NEC Birmingham on 11 to 13 May 2004; and how many were granted.

Malcolm Wicks: No trade licence applications were received, and no licences were therefore issued, in connection with the ACPO 2004 International Police Conference and Exhibition.

Arms Export Controls

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of arms exports controls.

Malcolm Wicks: In line with Cabinet Office guidance on Better Regulation, the Government will be carrying out a review of the controls implemented under the Export Control Act 2002 three years after the date they came into force, i.e. in 2007.

Auditing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2001 on the quality of the auditing of companies.

Gerry Sutcliffe: None. However, the Audit Inspection Unit (AIU) reporting to the Professional Oversight Board for Accountancy (POBA), a Board of the Financial Reporting Council, monitors the audits of listed and other public interest entities.
	In June 2005 the POBA published the Audit Inspection Unit's findings from its monitoring of the quality of the auditing function of the Big Four firms.

British Nuclear Group

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his plans for the British Nuclear Group.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 9 February 2006
	BNFL has publicly confirmed its wish to sell British Nuclear Group. Ministers are currently considering that proposal in parallel with considering the draft strategy recently submitted to them by the NDA. A further statement will be made in due course.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the Government gives to companies intending to trade with Burma.

Ian Pearson: The Government do not encourage trade with or investment in Burma. Nor do we offer any commercial services for companies wanting to do business with Burma. We do not give financial support for trade promotion activities and we do not organise trade missions. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated on 25 June 2003, trade with Burma is not appropriate when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imports from Burma into the UK in November and December 2005, broken down by type.

Ian Pearson: Information on the UK's imports of goods from Burma by product in November and December 2005 is given in the following table.
	
		UK Imports of goods from BurmaNovember and December 2005At 2 digit Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) level -- 000
		
			 SITC Description November 2005 December 2005 
		
		
			 03 Fish, (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs, etc. 694 531 
			 04 Cereals and cereal preparations 0 7 
			 05 Vegetables and fruit 8 8 
			 24 Cork and wood 0 102 
			 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp; etc. 9 0 
			 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, nes 19 0 
			 66 Non-metallic mineral manufactures 4 6 
			 69 Manufactures of metal nes 0 1 
			 77 Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, nes and parts 0 19 
			 82 Furniture and parts thereof; bedding, mattresses, cushions etc. 0 34 
			 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers 10 3 
			 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 1,111 663 
			 85 Footwear 152 304 
			 89 Miscellaneous manufactured article nes 9 0 
			 90 Commodities and Transactions not elsewhere classified in the SITC 17 21 
			  Total UK Imports of Goods from Burma 2,033 1,699 
		
	
	nes=not elsewhere specified
	Source:
	HM Revenue and Customs Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS1)

Carbon Dioxide

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made as part of his Department's Energy Review of the report on carbon dioxide capture and storage, prepared by the World Meteorological Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme for the intergovernmental panel on climate change.

Malcolm Wicks: The Energy Review has a broad scope and considers all aspects of the energy system including both energy supply and demand. The review will consider reports such as this alongside responses to the consultation which was launched on 23 January 2006.

Coal Health Claims

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many residents of Wansdyke constituency have received (a) full and final payments and (b) interim payments under the Government's compensation schemes for health problems caused by working in coal mines; and what the total paid to residents of Wansdyke constituency under such schemes has been.

Malcolm Wicks: As at 31 January, the following payments had been made to residents of Wansdyke:
	
		
			  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Vibration white finger Total 
		
		
			 Interims paid 148 2 150 
			 Claimants who have received an interim payment 113 1 114 
			 Claimants who have received an interim and full and final payment 98  98 
			 Claims settled by full and final payment 347 2 349 
			 Damages paid ( million) 2.73 0.03 2.76

Coal Health Claims

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure miners' compensation claims in relation to respiratory problems are processed as swiftly as possible.

Malcolm Wicks: Last year, the Department introduced risk offer payments for respiratory disease claims, often referred to as fast-track payments. For living claimants, offers are made based on the initial medical tests and the claims will not yet have gone through the full medical assessment process (MAP). Compensation will be paid quickly, freeing up specialist medical consultants to concentrate on assessing miners with higher levels of disability through the MAP. The scheme went live on 28 February 2005. More than 65,000 offers have been made and the acceptance rate is currently 95 per cent. The average payment is around 2,150.
	In claims from the families of deceased miners, the Department make offers of 1,200 to widows and 1,000 to estates in cases where there is no information on the death certificate about respiratory conditions. The deceased fast-track scheme became operational in early September 2005 in England and Wales and on 1 November 2005 in Scotland.
	It is hoped that the fast-track offers have the potential to shorten the overall compensation scheme by around two years.

Coal Health Claims

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal health claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been processed in (a) County Durham and (b) North Durham constituency.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims registered and settled is as follows:
	
		
			 Region Claims registered Total settlements(41) 
		
		
			 County Durham (42) 37,388 20,387 
			 North Durham 6,454 3,400 
		
	
	(41) Total settlements includes claims settled by payment and denial/withdrawal.
	(42) County Durham is made up of the following constituenciesNorth Durham, North West Durham, City of Durham, Easington, Sedgefield and Bishop Auckland.

Coal Health Claims

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal health claims for vibration white finger have been processed in (a) North Durham constituency and (b) County Durham.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of vibration white finger claims registered and settled is as follows:
	
		
			 Region Claims registered Total settlements(43) 
		
		
			 North Durham 733 476 
			 County Durham (44) 8,829 5,071 
		
	
	(43) Total settlements includes claims settled by payment and denial/withdrawal.
	(44) County Durham is made up of the following constituenciesNorth Durham, North West Durham, City of Durham, Easington, Sedgefield and Bishop Auckland.

Coal Health Claims

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his estimate is of the amounts owed to miners by legal firms under the coal health compensation scheme in (a) Wakefield constituency, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) nationally.

Malcolm Wicks: Unless a claimant requests otherwise, the Department's claims handlers make cheques payable to claimants rather than to their representatives.
	The Department does not hold any information on fees collected from claimants as this is a matter for the Law Society. The Law Society has concluded that such fees are unlikely to be justified.

Company Policy

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's policy is on the takeover of leading UK companies by foreign companies.

Ian Pearson: Openness to investment as well as trade can offer great benefits to producers and consumers. Inward investmentwhether through establishing green-field sites, setting up joint ventures or through mergers or acquisitionscan be an important driver of growth, providing access to new ideas and ways of working as well as efficiency gains.

Congestion Charge

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the impact of the congestion charge in London on businesses within the charging zone; and if he will make a statement.

Alun Michael: While I and my colleagues are always interested to hear any views on matters which have any impact on business, responsibility with the Mayor of London to whom parliament gave the powers to introduce a congestion charging scheme. This was contained in the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended by the Transport Act 2000). The London congestion charging scheme is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL), who have responsibility for monitoring and assessing the full range of impacts of the scheme, both for business and for the wider community.

Departmental Entertainment

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on entertainment by his Department in 200405; and how much of that sum is accounted for by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation.

Alan Johnson: Information on entertainment expenditure broken down as requested is not available and could be made available only at disproportionate cost. However, for 200405 the total expenditure on entertainment by the Department of Trade and Industry was 1.777 million.
	The majority of the Department's entertainment expenditure represents the hosting of stakeholder events both in the UK and overseas. This includes refreshments at meetings, working breakfasts and lunches and official events.
	All expenditure of official entertainment is made in accordance with published Departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

Departmental Publications

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 698W, on departmental publications, what the total cost has been of publications and surveys by his Department since 1997; and how much of this is accounted for by (a) commissioning costs and (b) printing costs.

Alan Johnson: pursuant to the reply, 10 January 2006, Official Report, c. 473W
	When I informed the hon. Member that the total cost of producing my Department's publications between 1 January 1997 and 20 October 2005 was 66,007,130, to extrapolate commissioning and printing costs could be done only at disproportionate cost as this information is not held centrally.

Departmental Reports

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to introduce legislation under which he would be obliged to make a statement to the House on every report of inspectors from his Department indicating whether that report will be published and what the reasons are for any decision not to publish.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have no plans to do so.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any (a) employee of his Department, (b) person engaged by his Department as a consultant and (c) paid adviser to his Department is a member of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Department has no employees or paid advisers who are members of the House of Lords. No central records are maintained of employees of consultancy companies engaged by the Department who may be members of the House of Lords.

Energy Policy

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what his timetable is for publishing the submissions to his consultation on energy policy;
	(2)  if he will publish submissions for his energy policy review within one week of receipt.

Ian Pearson: holding answers 16 February 2006
	All responses that are not subject to a confidentially provision will be published on the DTI website at the earliest opportunity.

Energy Policy

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the merits of pursuing a policy of the UK becoming an oil free economy.

Malcolm Wicks: The Energy Review which I am leading has a remit to look at how to secure clean, affordable energy for the long term. In the consultation document which we published on 23 January we have specifically asked about
	potential measures to help bring forward technologies to replace fossil fuels in transport and heat generation in the medium and long term.

Energy Prices

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on energy prices.

Malcolm Wicks: I take the recent increases in energy prices very seriously and the Government are very concerned about the impact on industrial competitiveness and the fuel poor. Prices are rising mainly as a result of increasing oil prices, leading to higher wholesale gas prices, and higher international coal prices. We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to find solutions and to reduce the impact on those most affected.
	Indications are that in January 2006, for domestic consumers, prices in the UK remained below the EU median for both electricity and gas, with our domestic gas prices still the cheapest in the whole of Europe. For industry, indications are that prices have recently moved above the EU median. However, historically, prices to industrial users have been below or around the EU median, with UK industry spending about 8 billion less on gas than their German counterparts between 1990 and 2004. Provisional January 2006 estimates will be published in March 2006.

Energy Prices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect on UK manufacturing of recent changes in energy prices.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government takes the recent increases in energy prices very seriously and is very concerned about the impact on industrial competitiveness. We understand that this creates tough trading conditions, especially for energy intensive users. Prices are rising mainly as a result of increasing oil prices, leading to higher wholesale gas prices, and higher international coal prices. We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to find solutions and to reduce the impact on those most affected.
	Indications are that in January 2006, prices for UK industrial consumers moved above the EU median. However, historically, prices to industrial users have been below or around the EU median, with UK industry spending about 8 billion less on gas than their German counterparts between 1990 and 2004. Provisional January 2006 estimates will be published in March 2006.

European Directives

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to comply with the EU procurement directive; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The following actions have been taken to inform colleagues of the implementation date for the new EU public procurement directive, and to advise on actions that should be taken to ensure compliance.
	There has been extensive briefing of procurement contacts in the main Department, its executive agencies and the public bodies it sponsors.
	A bulletin of 31 January 2006 was issued to those with procurement responsibilities, corresponding with the implementation date of the new provisions. This outlined the implications of the new directive and explained the sources of advice available.
	Guidance and instruction on the EU public procurement directive forms part of the in-house training delivered to those with procurement responsibilities.

European Directives

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received from (a) hon. Members, (b) Members of the House of Lords and (c) members of the public about the Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the Regulations.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The DTI has not received any recent representations about the Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations 2001.
	The Enterprise Act 2002, parts of which came into force on 20 June 2003, replaced and extended the injunctive Stop Now Order enforcement regime to include a wide range of domestic consumer protection legislation not previously covered.

Export Control Act

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the content and timetable of the proposed review of the Export Control Act 2002.

Malcolm Wicks: The Cabinet Office 'Regulatory Impact Assessment Guidance', 2005 (updating 'Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment', 2003) recommends that a Post-Implementation Review (PIR) establishes whether implemented regulations are having the intended effect and whether they are implementing policy objectives efficiently. Accordingly we shall review the regulations made under the Export Control Act, which came into force during March and May 2004, from May 2007. The precise content and timing will be considered nearer the time.

Freedom of Information

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used to judge whether information released to applicants in response to freedom of information (FOI) requests is of wider public interest and should be included on the FOI pages of his Department's website.

Alan Johnson: Information released to applicants under the Freedom of Information Act is considered for publication on the DTI's web pages on a case-by-case basis as to whether it would be of wider public interest. My Department aims progressively to increase the amount of information it publishes from FOI requests on its website.
	This publication is not a requirement of the FOI Act, but is in the spirit of freedom of information, and consistent with Whitehall best practice guidelines on publishing FOI responses that are likely to be of broad interest.

Freedom of Information

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the freedom of information requests made since 1 January 2005 concerning information on (a) energy policy, (b) renewable energy and (c) nuclear energy; and whether the request was (i) fully complied with, (ii) partially answered and (iii) refused in each case.

Alan Johnson: Since 1 January 2005, the Department has received in total 88 energy related Freedom of Information Act requests. In broad terms: (a) 18 related to energy policy; (b) 22 renewable energy and (c) 48 nuclear energy. Some requests were a combination of these categories. Of these requests, 39 were released in full; 12 were partial release of information and 23 information was withheld. There are two requests that are still being processed and in the case of a further 12 requests no information was found. A full list of the document will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Government Share Interests

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many share interests are held by the Government; and in which companies.

Barry Gardiner: I refer my hon. Friend to notes 14.2 and 14.5 to the Department for Trade and Industry Consolidated Resource Accounts 200405, placed in the Libraries of the House on 5 December 2005.

Green Electricity

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce an accreditation scheme for green electricity tariffs.

Malcolm Wicks: Ofgem will be publishing a response to its consultation on the Revision of Guidelines on Green Supply Offerings and the introduction of an accreditation scheme for green electricity tariffs will be considered in the light of this.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the addition to greenhouse gas emissions that arise from natural gas flared as part of oil extraction processes.

Malcolm Wicks: In the 2004 reports of emissions from the offshore oil and gas industry to my Department, 3.5 million tonnes of CO 2 were emitted from the flaring of gas during offshore oil and gas production.

Home Energy Efficiency

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact on (a) production of renewable energy and (b) carbon dioxide emissions of take-up of green supply offerings by domestic consumers at rates of (i) 50 per cent. and (ii) 100 per cent.

Malcolm Wicks: There is considerable diversity in the range of green supply offerings available and so it is not possible to quantify the impact on production of renewable energy or carbon dioxide emissions of take-up of green supply offerings by domestic consumers.

Home Energy Efficiency

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications of the take-up of green supply offerings for the supply of domestic electricity in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: No such assessment has been made.

Life Insurance

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will examine possible market abuse and anti-competitive practices in the life insurance market following the recent decision by leading supermarket providers to reduce premiums.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The prime responsibility for operating our competition regime rests with the independent competition authorities. In the specific case of the life insurance market it is the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) who would investigate any anti-competitive practices in the sector.

Mail Services

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of items of mail (a) lost and (b) misdirected in each constituency in England and Wales in 2005.

Barry Gardiner: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail plc. The chief executive has been asked to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Manufacturing (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the change in the number of manufacturing jobs in Peterborough was in each year since 1997.

Alun Michael: The total number of jobs in Peterborough (all sectors) increased between 1998 and 2004 from 86,300 to 92,700 and by a greater percentage than in the East of England and England (an increase of 7.4 per cent. in Peterborough compared to increases of 5.6 per cent. and 6.5 per cent. in the East of England and England).
	Within this the data show that there was a larger percentage fall in the number of manufacturing jobs between 1998 and 2004 in Peterborough (-28.7 per cent.) than in the East of England (-21.9 per cent.) and England (-23.6 per cent.). This means that the number of employee jobs in manufacturing as a percentage of total jobs in Peterborough fell from 18.1 per cent. to 12.0 per cent. compared to a smaller fall in the East of England from 16.2 per cent. to 12.0 per cent. and a smaller fall in England from 16.6 per cent. to 11.9 per cent.
	Statistics from the Annual Business Inquiry, which are only currently available from 1998 to 2004, show that annual changes in the number of manufacturing employee jobs in Peterborough were as follows:
	
		
			  Actual change (nearest 100) Percentage change (percentage) 
		
		
			 199899 -900 -5.9 
			 19992000 -500 -3.5 
			 200001 -800 -5.6 
			 200102 -600 -4.5 
			 200203 -1,100 -8.8 
			 200304 -500 -4.4 
			
			 Total change 19982004 -4,500 -28.7

Mini-motorbikes

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the merits of the introduction of new controls on the sale of mini-motorbikes to underage youths.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	We are aware of public concern about the misuse of these vehicles, often by young people, and the issue has been raised with us by the police and by other antisocial behaviour practitioners.
	To address this issue, last summer the Home Office and the Department for Transport produced information for practitioners on the enforcement and safe use of these types of bikes, to enable safety advice to be given at the local level. The Home Office also organised a number of TOGETHER Action Days with antisocial behaviour practitioners to share best practice around this topic and provide guidance on dealing with this problem. Then on 1 November 2005, additional guidance was issued to the police on the use of seizure powers under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002. These apply in respect of any mechanically propelled vehicle, whether or not intended or adapted for use on road, if it is being driven carelessly or inconsiderately on-road or off-road without authority, if at the same time its use is causing or likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance. This additional guidance explains the rationale behind its various aspects, clarifies the terms and the circumstances in which it might be used and offers examples of effective operations. At the same time Regulations governing use of the power were simplified.
	This work has led to further discussions between the Home Office, the Department for Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry and we are considering what more can be done to address the problem. However, at this time we have no plans to introduce controls on the sale of mini-motorbikes to underage youths.

Non-recyclable Packaging

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government have taken to discourage the use by manufacturers of non-recyclable packaging.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 (as amended) require that all items of packaging shall be designed, produced and commercialised in such a way to permit its reuse or recovery, including recycling, and to minimise its impact on the environment when packaging waste or residues of packaging waste operations are disposed of.
	The UK regulations make no distinction between reusable, recoverable or recyclable packaging as life cycle analysis indicates that differences between such processes are negligible.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Government officials participate in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's Recycling Performance Monitoring Group (RPMG); how many meetings of the RPMG have been held since its inception; and if he will place copies of the minutes of the RPMG in the Library.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 16 February 2006
	Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, Shareholder Executive and Treasury participate in the Recycling Performance Monitoring Group (RPMG). The group has met monthly since April 2005. There are no minutes produced of these meetings but the NDA does provide progress reports which it shares with members of its national stakeholder group on nuclear materials and places on its website. I have placed the latest report in the Libraries of the House.

Nuclear Fuels

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the market price of each category of nuclear fuel was on 13 February.

Malcolm Wicks: There is no fixed market price for categories of nuclear fuel. The price is commercially confidential information and is one which is agreed between the vendor and purchaser according to the terms of the contract.

Nuclear Fuels

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1073W, on nuclear fuels, how many tonnes of non-spent nuclear material were imported into the UK in the latest year for which records are available, broken down by country of export.

Malcolm Wicks: I am advised by British Energy that the last fabricated fuel imported into the UK was from Germany in 2004 and comprised 36.467 tonnes of uranium for Sizewell B power station.

Nuclear Fuels

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1073W, on nuclear fuels, if he will break down each of the volumes of uranium by isotope of uranium.

Malcolm Wicks: BNFL and British Energy inform me that volumes of uranium used in their reactors, for years where figures are available, are broken down as follows:
	
		
			  BNFL British Energy 
			  tU-235 tU-238 tU-235 tU-238 
		
		
			 2002   8.4 258.6 
			 2003 3.067 420.49 8.5 260.5 
			 2004 2.585 351.904 6.5 205.5 
			 2005 2.970 405.29

Nuclear Power Stations (Water Use)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of water used by a nuclear power station is of drinking water standard.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 13 February 2006
	British Energy's nuclear power stations use water from two sources:
	1. The sea
	2. Townswater
	Each year a station uses approximately 1.2 billion cubic metres of seawater. The average annual townswater consumption of a nuclear power station is approximately 700,000 cubic metres (although for Sizewell B power station this figure is approximately 300,000 cubic metres).
	None of British Energy's nuclear power stations use abstracted water or brown-water (not drinking water standard) for routine operations. Specifically, Dungeness B has a lagoon which is predominantly made up of groundwater for use in an emergency (although it has never been called upon).
	The percentage of water used by a British Energy nuclear power station of drinking water standard is 0.0006 per cent. (including seawater). Excluding seawater, the percentage is 100 per cent.

Nuclear Power Stations (Water Use)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are in place to ensure that sufficient quantities of water are always available to nuclear power stations, with particular reference to Dungeness.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 13 February 2006
	All of British Energy's nuclear power stations use water from two sources:
	1. The sea
	2. Townswaterfrom the normal water-mains
	Both of these sources are required in order to generate electricity and the measures are contracts with the local water utilities for townswater and necessary permits for seawater, plus well maintained plant.
	However, neither supply of water is required to safely shutdown the power stations.
	All nuclear power stations maintain adequate, on-site, storage of alternative water supplies in order to safely shutdown the plant. Maintaining these supplies is a condition of their site licence requirements.
	At Dungeness B alternative emergency water supplies are provided by on-site storage tanks. Further back-up supplies are maintained in a lagoon adjacent to the plant.

Nuclear Power Stations (Water Use)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much water was used by Dungeness B in each of the last five years; and what the average quantity of water used by a nuclear power station was in each year.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 13 February 2006
	British Energy inform me that Dungeness B plant uses water from two sources:
	1. The English Channel
	2. Townswater
	Each year Dungeness B uses 1.2 billion cubic metres of seawater to cool steam used to turn its turbinesall of this water is returned to the English Channel.
	Dungeness B uses townswater to make steam, and for other plant cooling requirements. The annual consumption of townswater at Dungeness B over the past 5-years has been:
	
		
			  Cubic metres 
		
		
			 2005: 450,000 
			 2004: 768,000 
			 2003: n/a 
			 2002: n/a 
			 2001: n/a 
		
	
	n/anot available
	The average quantity of townswater used by British Energy's nuclear power stations (based in England) in 2004 was 660,000 cubic metres.
	BNFL report that the average quantity of water used by an operating Magnox power station each year is 1,300 million m 3 .

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of his Department and its predecessor.

Alan Johnson: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	
		
			   billion 
		
		
			 Liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme 37 
			 Deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing 12.7 
			 Current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants 34.4 
		
	
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.

Post Office Card Account

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of the contribution of the Post Office card account to meeting its objectives on financial inclusion.

James Plaskitt: I have been asked to reply.
	In line with our wider policy on financial inclusion, we have always made it clear that payment into a bank account is the best option for the overwhelming majority of customers. The Post Office card account has played an important part as a stepping stone to financial inclusion, and has helped some people, previously unused to banking, get used to using a plastic card and personal identification number. However, the Post Office card account is a simple account with limited functions. It can only receive payments of benefits, pensions and tax credits. It does not, for example, allow customers to make savings on fuel bills by paying by direct debit; it cannot receive payments of wages; cheques cannot be paid into the Post Office card account; and it does not pay interest on balances.

Post Office Card Account

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in (a) Beverley and Holderness and (b) East Riding of Yorkshire use the Post Office card account; and how many withdrawals of (i) pensions and (ii) other benefits from the Post Office card accounts there were in each area in the last two years.

Barry Gardiner: This is an operational matter for Post Office Limited (POL). The Chief Operating Officer, David Miller has been asked to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Office Card Account

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by (a) his Department and (b) the Post Office on developing and introducing the Post Office card account.

Barry Gardiner: The Department was not involved financially or operationally in the development and introduction of the Post Office card account. The cost to the Post Office is one element of the Post Office card account contract costs. Detailed information on these costs is a commercial matter for Post Office Ltd.

Power Generation Technologies

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding his Department has allocated to hydrogen power technologies in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: On 15 June 2005, I announced the Government's response to the report A Strategic Framework for Hydrogen Energy Activity in the UK 1 which included a funding package from my department of 15 million over four years for a UK wide hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration programme. The demonstration scheme is currently in preparation, and will require EC state aid approval.
	Currently, my Department supports industrial collaborative research and development for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies through the Technology Programme (and previously through the new and renewable energy programme). Fuel Cells have been supported since 1992. Bids specifically for hydrogen technologies have been invited since April 2005. The programme seeks to advance these technologies for both stationary power generation and transport applications, with a view to achieving the cost reductions and performance levels necessary for commercial deployment. This support has amounted to approximately 2 million per annum since 1997.
	The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including through the SUPERGEN initiative, support basic research in universities on both fuel cells and hydrogen. SUPERGEN supports the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK SHEC) which has received funding of 2.5 million. This programme is supporting projects on: hydrogen generation; hydrogen storage; and socio-economic implications for a hydrogen economy. In addition to SUPERGEN, EPSRC has awarded 1 million to investigate the potential role of formic acid as a chemical method for the storage of hydrogen. 500,000 has been granted to three projects on fundamental science and engineering relevant to the hydrogen economy. EPSRC also contributes to projects through the DTI's Technology Programme. More widely, the research councils EPSRC, ESRC, and NERC have recently established the UK Energy Research Centre.
	The Government have also provided funding of over 450,000 for the trial of three hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses in London as part of the EU CUTE (Clean Urban Transport in Europe) project. 7.5 million of funding has been provided for the fuel cell and low carbon vehicle technology Centre of Excellence (CENEX) based in Loughborough.
	The Department for Transport announced in January, as part of their Horizons innovative research programme, a competition for projects to investigate the options for the further steps required to move to the adoption of a hydrogen transport infrastructure. It is hoped to support between two and four projects examining the practicality and timing of the introduction of the required infrastructure to support hydrogen-fuelled vehicles at a cost of up to 500,000.
	1 The full text of which is freely available at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/hydrogen.shtml

Public Information

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on the Department's public relations and information services in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: The following was spent on public relations by DTI via the Central Office of Information between 2002 and November 2005.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 2002  
			 UK Online for Business 661,606.84 
			 Invest UK 126,282.39 
			 SBS 178,696.26 
			 Trade Partners 247,651.65 
			   
			 2003  
			 Trade Partners 546,312.99 
			 UK Online for Business 443,767.40 
			 Invest UK 447,412.30 
			 SBS 295,607.01 
			   
			 2004  
			 Dispute Resolution 68,405.05 
			 Renewable Energy (specialist pr) 516,490.60 
			 Best Business Practice 338,443.29 
			 Best Practice 151,827.51 
			 Renewable Energy (consumer, public activity  and regional tour pr) 548,703.98 
			   
			 2005 (to date)  
			 Consumer Direct 138,560.25 
			 UKTI 121,840.54 
			 SBS 19,406.95 
			 Consumer Direct 22,975.59 
			 Consumer Directevent 6,902.50 
		
	
	To provide details beyond the above would exceed disproportionate costs.
	The support costs for the Department's main information source, the website, are included in the overall service charge paid monthly under the IT service contract in place since 1 April 1999.

Regulations

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the operation of the (a) Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and (b) the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture manufactured in or imported into the UK. These regulations are enforced by local authority trading standards departments, which have powers to suspend the supply of products which do not meet the requirements of the regulations, to seize such products and to bring prosecutions against suppliers.
	The Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 empowers the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate misleading advertisements and, where necessary, take action to prevent further publication.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the viability of incorporating on-site renewable energy in major new commercial developments.

Malcolm Wicks: A study carried out by Future Energy Solutions (Renewable Heat and Heat from Combined Heat and Power plantsStudy and Analysis) on behalf of the DTI examined the potential for renewable heat to be incorporated in commercial buildings. We also commissioned a study from the Energy Saving Trust (Potential for MicrogenerationStudy and Analysis), which examined the costs and benefits associated with microgeneration installations, including the installation of solar photovoltaics on a commercial scale (40kW). The Future Energy Solutions report is available at www.dti.gov.uk/renewables and the Energy Saving Trust report is available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the impact of trends in gas and electricity prices on the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy technologies in the domestic sector.

Malcolm Wicks: The Energy Saving Trust Report Potential for Micro generationStudy and Analysis (www.dti.gov.uk/energy), commissioned by the DTI, examines the costs and benefits of a range of microgeneration technologies in the domestic sector. The assessment takes into account the latest gas and electricity price projections published on the DTI website at that time.
	Recent increases in gas and electricity prices will make renewable technologies in the domestic sector relatively more cost-effective. In November 2005, the Prime Minister announced that there would be a review of energy policy that would report in summer 2006. The review will consider all options including the role of current generating technologies such as renewables, as well as new and emerging technologies.

Renewable Energy

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact of the regulation of the amount of an electricity supplier's renewable obligation that can come from co-firing from April 2006 on the price of co-fired renewable obligation certificates.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government do not make forecasts of renewable obligation certificate (ROC) prices. The value of co-fired ROCs reflects demand and supply taking account of the rules on co-firing in the renewables obligation.

Research and Development Grants

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums from unused research and development grants were carried forward from 200405 to 200506 in each region.

Alun Michael: The 200405 baseline budget for grant for research and development was fully utilised. No monies were carried forward into 200506.

Royal Mail

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to ensure that Royal Mail remains entirely in public ownership.

Barry Gardiner: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made it clear at DTI oral questions on 21 July that the Government will not privatise Royal Mail. We will continue to pursue our ambition of a publicly owned Royal Mail Group fully restored to good health and providing customers with an excellent service and its employees with rewarding employment.

Royal Mail

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets have been set for the Royal Mail to return (a) misdirected and (b) wrongly addressed post.

Barry Gardiner: Royal Mail receives no revenue for the return of misdirected and wrongly addressed post and no targets have been set for the time within which it has to be returned. Some cannot be returned. The matter is dealt with by schemes made under section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000, in particular the successor postal services company inland letter post scheme 2001, paragraph 8 of which provides that the service of returning undeliverable letters is discretionary.

Small Firm Loan Guarantees

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost to the Exchequer would be of doubling the ceilings for small firm loan guarantees.

Alun Michael: As a result of the 2003 Graham Review of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG), each of the participating lenders were given an annual lending limit. For the high volume lenders this was calculated according to their market share of SFLG lending over the previous three years.
	Within the overall constraint of these lending limits the impact on the Exchequer of increasing the maximum amount a business can borrow would be minimal. However, the Graham Review did not find any economic justification for increasing the maximum loan value and to do so would have a potentially detrimental impact as, within the overall lending limits that apply, it would reduce the number of small businesses that could be assisted to borrow.

Solid Fuel Allowances

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the estimated liabilities of solid fuel allowances paid by his Department.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has a responsibility to provide either solid fuel or a cash alternative to around 120,000 beneficiaries of the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme. The number of beneficiaries is declining at around 6 per cent. a year and the liability will continue for several decades. The provision for this liability at 31 March 2005, as published in the Department of Trade and Industry Consolidated Resource Accounts 200405 (HC 612, 5 December 2005) stood at 338,759,000.

Special Advisers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether special advisers in his Department receive an IT allowance.

Alan Johnson: None of the special advisers in DTI received IT allowances.

Telephone Masts (Leicester)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many telephone masts (a) in Leicester and (b) in the UK have 3G technology; and what proportion of all masts in each area these figures represent.

Alun Michael: At present there are roughly 45,000 base stations (masts) across the country, including Second and Third Generation networks. We do not hold a central register of 3G or total mast numbers by location. The number of masts required in an area will be affected by the level of consumer demand for 3G services, by commercial decisions related to the design of the networks, by the physical topography and by the requirements of planning authorities.
	The location of individual 2G (GSMGlobal System for Mobile communication) and 3G (UMTSUniversal Mobile Telecommunications Service) masts can be found at: http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/ A postcode checker to identify 2G and 3G coverage throughout the country is also available on the five Mobile Network Operators websites.
	The operators' licences to operate 3G networks require that 80 per cent. of the population will have access to the network by the end of 2007. The operators have estimated that a further 5,000 base stations will be required to meet their licence commitment. Further information is available at: http://www.mobilemastinfo.com/information/fact_sheets/third_generation.htm
	Each 3G operator now covers between 60 per cent. and 87 per cent. of the population in the UK, this includes most urban areas and particular sites in rural areas. Most of the 3G operators already cover Leicester.

Tidal Power

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the UK's energy has been generated by tidal power in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: Since 1997 there has been no contribution from tidal power towards UK energy demand.
	This is predominantly due to the high costs associated with conventional impoundment type generation schemes that would exploit the large tidal range that exists at a number of locations around the UK.
	However, the UK also has a significant tidal-stream resource, estimated to be around 16TWh/y. Since 2000 over 16 million has been committed to the research and development of new technologies that would economically exploit this form of energy. To date, two full-scale prototype devices have been demonstrated and at least three more similar demonstrations are planned for this year.
	In addition, a further 50 million Marine Renewables Deployment Fund has been made available to support the continued development of these technologies. The new fund provides a package of measures, central to which is a 42 million DTI Wave and Tidal-stream Energy Demonstration Scheme www.dti.gov.uk/renewables/business_pdfs/waveandtidalstreamdemons.pdf that will bring forward the first small grid-connected arrays of tidal-stream devices.

Universal Banking Services (Agreement)

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial contribution was made by each bank and building society which signed the agreement with the Government on the provision of universal banking services.

Barry Gardiner: The information requested is commercially confidential.

Unsolicited e-mail

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the (a) publications and (b) consultation documents produced by his Department on (i) the internet, (ii) spam e-mails and (iii) e-commerce; if he will place copies of each in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: DTI publications and consultations currently available and notified centrally to my publications team are listed on the DTI publications website www.dti.gov.uk/publications.
	There are 38 currently available in hard copy on the internet, spam e-mails and e-commerce, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	There are 36 currently available on these topics electronically; these can be downloaded from www.dti.gov.uk/publications. A list of these publications has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Unsolicited Telephone Calls

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department are taking to protect people against the nuisance of unsolicited automated telephone marketing and sales calls.

Alun Michael: Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, those who undertake automated marketing recorded calls have to have prior consent and are required to comply with Regulation 19(1) and (2) of the Privacy Regulations, which requires prior consent of the consumer. Accordingly unsolicited marketing and sales calls are illegal. Also, Regulation 24(1)(a) requires that all messages must include the identity of the caller and an address or freephone number.
	The Information Commissioner has responsibility for the enforcement of the Privacy Regulations and considers complaints about such calls if sufficient information is provided. A breach of their enforcement notice is a criminal offence subject to a fine of up to 5,000 in a magistrates court.
	In practice, most of these calls request a premium rate service number to be called and are scams and as such it may be more appropriate for the premium rate services regulator, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services, to investigate such cases. Those service providers found to be in breach of ICSTIS' Code of Practice can be shut down, barred from operating and fined up to 250,000.

Video Games Industry

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of how much the video games industry has been worth to the UK economy in each of the past five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of how many people were employed in the video games industry in each of the past five years for which figures are available.

Alun Michael: No official estimates have been made of the number of people employed in the video games industry, or the value of the industry to the UK economy, but Screen Digest, the audiovisual industry analysts, have estimated that there were slightly under 9,000 people employed in the development and publishing of video games software in 2004, up from around 8,400 in 2000 1 .
	The DTI's 2002 competitiveness analysis of the UK games software industry, From exuberant youth to sustainable maturity, included an estimate of the contribution of the UK games software development and publishing industries to the UK economy of 711 million in 2001 2 .
	1 European Interactive Games. The 2005 state of the industry report, Screen Digest, March 2005.
	2 Spectrum Games Industry Forecasts.

Westinghouse

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has set a minimum price for the sale of Westinghouse.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 9 February 2006
	As announced to the House on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 42WS BNFL that day signed a purchase and sale agreement with Toshiba to sell its US subsidiary Westinghouse for the sum of $5.4 billion. This is an excellent outcome for the UK taxpayer who stands to benefit from a return of around four times BNFL's original investment in the business. As widely reported in the media, the figure greatly exceeded expectations based on initial valuations of the businesses.

Wind Farms

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much electricity was fed back from the grid to maintain the generators in use on wind farms across the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of the power generated by such farms.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not hold information on the amount of electricity that has been fed back from the grid to maintain the generators in use on wind farms across the UK.
	However, we estimate that the amount of power required to operate a wind farm is no more than  per cent. of the total electricity generated by the wind farm.

Wind Farms

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with potential developers of wind farms in the strategic search areas identified in the Welsh Assembly document Technical Advice Note 8.

Malcolm Wicks: Officials have had meetings with two developers to discuss the procedures for obtaining consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct wind farms in the areas identified in TAN 8. No such application has been made.

Wind Farms

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) hon. Members and (b) Members of the Welsh Assembly on the application by npower renewables for consent to develop the Gwynt y Mor wind farm.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State had an informal discussion at her request with the hon. Member for Conwy about process under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 which applies to applications for consent for generating stations such as wind farms. Ministers have had no discussions with Members of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Yemen

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Yemen's application to join the World Trade Organisation.

Ian Pearson: The UK supports the accession of Yemen to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the right terms. Drawing Yemen into the WTO would be an important means of opening the Yemeni economy to development and growth, reducing corruption and promoting the rule of law, all of which should help Yemen develop positively as a state.
	WTO accession is neither a quick nor easy process, and Yemen is many years from achieving accession. The WTO Working Party set up in Geneva to handle Yemen's accession was established in July 2000, and has met twice, in November 2004 and October 2005.
	Yemen receives UK-funded technical assistance for WTO accession via the UNCTAD Trust Fund on WTO Accessions. This provides support with the preparation of accession documentation and training for negotiators.

TRANSPORT

A12 (Brentwood)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the contracted finish date was for the current stretch of road improvements on the A12 at Brentwood; and on what date they will be completed.

Stephen Ladyman: The contracted finish date for the road works on the A12 at Brentwood, otherwise known as the A12 Ingatestone scheme, was 8 March 2006.
	The expected finishing date is now 13 March 2006. This extra period of time includes four days, because the work took longer than the contractor planned and one day for delay due to changes that were ordered for the work.

A303 (Countess Road Flyover)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition his Department uses of the term 'transport hotspot' in the Countess Road flyover proposal on the A303.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department does not have a definition of this term. The Countess Road flyover proposal is one of a number of schemes on the A303 designed to address congestion on this route.

A34 Newbury Bypass

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents have occurred on the A34 Newbury Bypass in the last five years; how many people have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in accidents on the bypass in this period; and what estimate he has made of the cost of these accidents in terms of delays.

Stephen Ladyman: Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004 seven people were killed and 19 people were seriously injured in 18 incidents on the A34 Newbury Bypass.
	We are not able to provide a meaningful estimate of the cost of the delays because there are no actual records of the number of vehicles indirectly involved in these accidents or the lengths of the delays.

Biofuels Directive

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress towards the targets in the European Union biofuels directive.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 February 2006, given to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) [UIN 51884].

Commercial Vehicle Registrations

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many commercial vehicle registrations there have been in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information required is contained in the following table:
	
		New registrations
		
			  Public transport General goods Total 
		
		
			 1997 6,300 25,500 31,800 
			 1998 7,200 32,200 39,400 
			 1999 7,600 36,200 43,800 
			 2000 7,300 42,500 49,800 
			 2001 6,900 45,100 52,000 
			 2002 8,000 45,200 53,200 
			 2003 8,700 49,000 57,700 
			 2004 8,600 49,400 58,000 
		
	
	Source:
	Transport Statistics BulletinVehicle Licensing Statistics: 2004.
	The licensing statistics 2005 are due for publication by the end of June 2006.

Convention on Driving Disqualification

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implementation of the 1998 convention on driving disqualification.

Stephen Ladyman: The 1998 convention on driving disqualifications was signed by the UK along with the then 14 other member states of the European Union. The necessary primary legislation to implement it in the UK formed part of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003. At the same time, provision was made for Great Britain and Northern Ireland each to recognise driving disqualifications imposed in the other's jurisdiction.
	On 9 February 2006, at a meeting of the British-Irish Council, I exchanged letters with the Irish Minister for Transport, stating our joint intention to proceed to apply the convention to recognise one another's driving disqualifications. My officials are working closely with those of the Northern Ireland and Ireland administrations to specify the details of such co-operation and to bring it into effect as soon as possible.
	I am keen to see similar arrangements in place with other member states of the European Union.

Cycling

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with train operating companies on encouraging greater use of bicycles by commuters; which train operating companies restrict the carrying of bicycles on trains; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Folding bicycles may be carried on all trains at all times, free of charge. However, non-folding bicycles may not be carried on London commuter trains during the Monday-Friday peak hours, when capacity is at a premium. This arrangement is common to all operators, although the exact time restriction may vary by route. Operators are encouraged to provide cycle facilities at stations and since 200405 the Department for Transport has funded around 2,900 additional new cycle parking spaces at stations across the rail network.

Cycling Accidents

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving cyclists resulting in (a) death and (b) serious injury there were in Gateshead, East and Washington, West constituency in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatal and serious personal injury road accidents involving one or more cyclists in the parliamentary constituency of Gateshead, East and Washington, West between 1997 and 2004 (the latest year for which figures are available) is given in the table. The accidents in the table are those that occurred in the 2004 boundary for Gateshead, East and Washington, West constituency.
	
		Fatal and serious personal road injury accidents involving a cyclist in Gateshead, East and Washington, West constituency: 1997 to 2004
		
			  Fatal Serious 
		
		
			 1997 0 3 
			 1998 0 1 
			 1999 0 5 
			 2000 0 0 
			 2001 0 1 
			 2002 0 2 
			 2003 0 2 
			 2004 0 1

Drivers (First Aid Techniques)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of introducing to the driving test oral questions on how to use appropriate first aid techniques in the event of an accident.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 27 October 2005, Official Report, column 504W. The objective and robust assessment offered by our modern theory test is superior to the oral questioning arrangement which was discontinued in 1996.

Drivers (First Aid Techniques)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to require drivers to help in the event of a road traffic accident.

Stephen Ladyman: There are no plans to introduce such legislation.

English Channel Shipping

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ships used the English Channel in 2005, broken down by flag.

Stephen Ladyman: Based on ship reports to the Coastguard stations at Dover and Gris-Nez on the French coast, the total number of ships that used the English Channel in 2005, is estimated at 150,000, an average of 410 per day.
	A breakdown of the ships reported to the Coastguard at Dover monitoring traffic in the South West lane of the UK's Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme, is shown as follows.
	
		
			 Flag Number of vessels 
		
		
			 Algeria 93 
			 Antigua  Barbuda 27 
			 Bahamas 3,328 
			 Bahrain 14 
			 Barbados 734 
			 Belarus 3 
			 Belgium 675 
			 Belize 200 
			 Bermuda 343 
			 Brazil 50 
			 British Antarctic Territory 1 
			 Bulgaria 161 
			 Cambodia 49 
			 Cameroon 1 
			 Canada 9 
			 Canary Islands 124 
			 Cayman Islands 870 
			 Channel Islands 15 
			 Chile 10 
			 China, Peoples Republic of 217 
			 Colombia 4 
			 Comoros 87 
			 Cook Islands 2 
			 Croatia 50 
			 Cyprus 2,352 
			 Denmark 186 
			 Denmark (DIS) 1,487 
			 Dominica 65 
			 Egypt 68 
			 Estonia 88 
			 Ethiopia 12 
			 Faeroe Islands 10 
			 Faeroes (FAS) 2 
			 Falkland Islands 4 
			 Finland 369 
			 France 350 
			 French Antarctic Territory 686 
			 Georgia 58 
			 Germany 1,844 
			 Gibraltar 1,131 
			 Greece 951 
			 Grenada 4 
			 Honduras 14 
			 Hong Kong, China 860 
			 India 79 
			 Indonesia 2 
			 Iran 241 
			 Irish Republic 566 
			 Isle of Man 1,532 
			 Israel 1 
			 Italy 1,268 
			 Jamaica 23 
			 Japan 133 
			 Jordan 2 
			 Korea (North) 56 
			 Korea (South) 107 
			 Kuwait 56 
			 Latvia 68 
			 Lebanon 77 
			 Liberia 3,662 
			 Lithuania 215 
			 Luxembourg 556 
			 Madeira 391 
			 Malaysia 67 
			 Maldive Islands 2 
			 Malta 2,369 
			 Marshall Islands 1,187 
			 Mexico 3 
			 Mongolia 2 
			 Morocco 148 
			 Myanmar 10 
			 Netherlands 5,429 
			 Netherlands (Antilles) 725 
			 Nigeria 8 
			 Norway 373 
			 Norway (NIS) 2,257 
			 Norwegian Antarctic Territory 3 
			 Pakistan 3 
			 Panama 5,146 
			 Philippines 158 
			 Poland 132 
			 Portugal 112 
			 Portugal (MAR) 247 
			 Qatar 22 
			 Reunion 9 
			 Romania 30 
			 Russia 1,574 
			 St. Vincent  The Grenadines 940 
			 Saudi Arabia 39 
			 Seychelles 8 
			 Sierra Leone 1 
			 Singapore 917 
			 Slovakia 36 
			 South Africa 1 
			 Spain 88 
			 Spain (CSR) 334 
			 Sri Lanka 11 
			 Sweden 1,029 
			 Switzerland 79 
			 Syria 46 
			 Taiwan 11 
			 Thailand 122 
			 Tonga 4 
			 Tunisia 8 
			 Turkey 329 
			 Tuvalu 7 
			 U.A.E. (Abu Dhabi) 64 
			 Ukraine 100 
			 United Kingdom 4,756 
			 United States of America 264 
			 Uruguay 2 
			 Vanuatu 78 
			 Vietnam 1 
			 Wallis  Futuna 1 
			 Total number of vessels 55,935

European Biofuels Directive

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the progress the UK is making towards the targets set under the European Biofuels Directive.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on monthly sales of biofuels and all other transport fuels is available from the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=facthydro. The data for November and December 2005 are still provisional at this stage, but suggests that, across the year as a whole, sales of biofuels accounted for some 0.25 per cent. of total transport fuel sales. The Government's recently announced Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation is set to deliver a huge increase in UK biofuels over the next few years, and will require transport fuel suppliers to ensure that, by 2010, biofuels account for 5 per cent. of their total sales.

Historical Wrecks

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Government signed an international treaty to protect the wreck of the Titanic; and for how long that protection will stand.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government signed the Agreement Concerning the Shipwrecked Vessel RMS Titanic, on 5 November 2003. The Agreement will enter into force once two States have expressed their consent to be bound by it. The Agreement will then be in force in the UK until such a time as it is denounced.

Heathrow Airport

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are exposed daily between 05.00 hours and 07.00 hours to levels of noise from air traffic at Heathrow exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines 'Guidelines for Community Noise'; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: We do not monitor noise exposure around Heathrow airport in this format. Contour maps for night time noise exposure between for the night (23000700) and night quota period (23300600) were published in July 2004 as part of stage one of our consultation on night flying restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports. The area of contour and population within the contour were also shown.

Heathrow Airport

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many aircraft movements have taken place at Heathrow between (a) 23.30 hours and 06.00 hours and (b) 06.00 hours and 07.00 hours in each year since 1993; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The following table shows the number of aircraft 'movements at Heathrow Airport during the night quota period (23300600) between 1993 and 2005.
	Certain types of aircraft are exempt from movements limits if their noise certification data are below a certain level 1 . These are recorded as exempt types. In addition, movements may be granted dispensations in certain cases 2 , and disregarded from the night restrictions.
	The night restrictions regime is set on a seasonal basis (the seasons change with the clocks) rather than by calendar year.
	We have not stored comprehensive historic data about movements between 0600 and 0700 hours at Heathrow Airport.
	1 Jet aircraft with a maximum certificated weight not exceeding 11,600kg and propeller aircraft are exempt from the movements limits and noise quotas if their noise certification data are less than 87 Effective Perceived Noise Deciblesthe measurement unit for formal certification of aircraft noise.
	2 Delays likely to lead to serious congestion and delays resulting from widespread disruption of Air Traffic, exemptions granted by DfT (DETR/DTLR) (VIP Passengers, Emergency Relief) and emergency Take-offs and Landings.
	
		
			  Season Movements counting against night limits Movement counted as exempt Movements granted dispensations Total runway movements 
		
		
			 199394 Winter 2,352 151 86 2,589 
			 1994 Summer 2,905 249 50 3,204 
			 199495 Winter 2,668 179 92 2,939 
			 1995 Summer 2,968 268 30 3,266 
			 199596 Winter 2,751 186 122 3,059 
			 1996 Summer 2,566 256 18 2,840 
			 199697 Winter 2,525 191 106 2,822 
			 1997 Summer 2,755 237 15 3,007 
			 199798 Winter 2,446 125 195 2,766 
			 1998 Summer 2,828 234 37 3,099 
			 199899 Winter 2,866 146 87 2,921 
			 1999 Summer 3,138 247 281 3,666 
			 19992000 Winter 2,529 138 21 2,688 
			 2000 Summer 3,028 207 175 3,410 
			 200001 Winter 2,615 93 183 2,891 
			 2001 Summer 2,939 135 149 3,223 
			 200102 Winter 2,684 80 132 2,896 
			 2002 Summer 2,937 141 199 3,277 
			 200203 Winter 2,620 96 396 3,112 
			 2003 Summer 2,899 113 62 3,074 
			 200304 Winter 2,683 76 104 2,863 
			 2004 Summer 2,993 105 51 3,149 
			 200405 Winter 2,591 70 24 2,685 
			 2005 Summer 2,956 89 272 3,317

Local Government Finance

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding Lancashire council received from his Department (a) in total, (b) per mile of road and (c) per head of population in each year since 199798.

Stephen Ladyman: Table 1, which follows shows the total funding allocated to Lancashire council in the local transport capital settlements in each year between 199798 and 200506 (inclusive) in terms of (a) totals (b) per mile of road and (c) per head of population.
	
		Table 1: Funding totals per mile and per head
		
			 Lancashire council 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Total funding (000) 11,006 7,155 9,681 11,532 27,830 30,730 25,388 29,209 25,865 
			 Road Mileage (2004) 4,929 4,288 4,288 4,288 4,288 4,288 4,288 4,288 4,288 
			 Funds (000) per mile 2.23 1.66 2.25 2.68 6.49 7.16 5.92 6.81 6.03 
			 Population (Thousand) (2004) 1,434.9 1,152.0 1,152.0 1,152.0 1,152.0 1,152.0 1,152.0 1,152.0 1,152.0 
			 Fund ( per head) 7.67 6.21 8.40 10.0 24.15 26.67 22.03 25.35 22.45 
		
	
	Note:
	The 199798 figures include Blackpool and Blackburn, which were part of Lancashire pre-reorganisation.

M60

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the projected outturn is against planned expenditure on the M60 widening scheme.

Stephen Ladyman: The M60 J5 to J8 widening scheme is under construction and completion is expected in May 2006. On 19 December 2005 I placed a table in the Library setting out the costs for schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements. This included the M60 J5 to J8 widening scheme at a cost of 116 million. The tender cost at the start of construction work was 134.4 million. The current projected outturn cost including all historical costs for preparation, construction, ancillary works, land and non-recoverable VAT is 139.5 million.

Mobile Phones (Dangerous Driving)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to make drivers aware of the dangers of using a mobile telephone while driving.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 19W.

Motor Vehicle Driving Licences

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his plans are for changing the regime in respect of motor vehicle driving licences; what the reasons are for the changes; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: There are a number of initiatives underway that involve potential changes to driver licensing.
	The Road Safety Bill as originally published contained provision for the removal of the paper counterpart. This is the paper section of the two-part licence and currently has to be produced with the plastic card licence. The Bill also contained a provision for the compulsory surrender of old-form licences. On the 29 November, however, the House of Lords voted to remove this provision from the Bill. No further decisions have as yet been taken about this matter.
	The European Commission (EC) made proposals in December 2003 for a third directive on driving licences. This would place obligations upon the United Kingdom as upon all other member states. The EC believed that its proposals would help to combat fraud, improve road safety and facilitate free movement between member states. The proposed directive remains under negotiation in the Council of Ministers, and under consideration by the European Parliament.
	DVLA is also in the process of replacing its driving licence card production facility. This is to address the increasing threat posed by counterfeiters to driving licence security. The new cards will contain a number of state of the art high security features. Completion is planned by the end of next year.

Motorways (Heavy Vehicle Restrictions)

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the trial on the M42 of restricting heavy vehicles to the inside lane.

Stephen Ladyman: At present it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the trial restricting heavy vehicles to the inside lane of a three mile length of the M42. The restriction was introduced on 10 October last year for an experimental period of 18 months.
	The restriction is currently suspended due to the need for essential maintenance work. It is proposed that the trial will resume in April when the Highways Agency will continue monitoring to assess what benefits have resulted. The Agency welcomes comments from all road users as part of this process.

Motorways (Heavy Vehicle Restrictions)

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the merits of the M27/M3 junction as a suitable site to trial the restriction of slow moving vehicles to the inside lane.

Stephen Ladyman: No assessment has been made of the suitability of the M27/M3 junction for a trial to restrict slow moving vehicles to the inside lane. Decisions on whether or not to introduce such restrictions at other locations on the motorway network would be taken on a case by case basis and take into consideration the trial on the M42.

Network Rail

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) financial and (b) other incentives are in place to improve the efficiency of Network Rail.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 2411W.

Number Plate Recognition System

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislation enables the proposed scheme to extend the automatic number plate recognition system throughout the motorway network.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras on the motorway network for the purpose of managing traffic on behalf of the Secretary of State who has general and specific legislative duties to do so under the Highways Act 1980. The Secretary of State also has powers to regulate traffic under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Off-peak Rail Fares

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the likely change in the number of off-peak rail users as a result of a removal of the cap on saver rail fares.

Derek Twigg: No decision on the future regulation of Saver Return fares has yet been taken. However, in the absence of regulation, it is likely that train operators would retain Saver fares or create alternatives using modern revenue-management techniques to retain existing passengers and gain new ones.

Off-peak Rail Fares

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to make an environmental impact assessment of its plans to allow rail companies to remove off-peak saver fares on trains.

Derek Twigg: No decision on the future regulation of Saver Return fares has yet been taken. However, in the absence of any regulation of these fares, it is likely that train operators would retain Saver fares and/or create alternative fares using modern revenue-management techniques to retain existing passengers and gain new ones. Any change to the impact on the environment is therefore likely to be negligible and no Environmental Impact Assessment is planned.

Ormskirk Bypass

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Highways Agency on a bypass for Ormskirk.

Stephen Ladyman: The Secretary of State for Transport has had no recent discussions with the Highways Agency regarding a bypass for Ormskirk. This scheme is now being progressed as a local highway scheme by Lancashire county council through their local transport plan.

Parking Charges

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much income was derived from parking by each local authority in 200405; how much such income has been derived by each authority in 200506; how much of that income came from (a) charges and (b) penalties in each year; and how much expenditure each authority incurred on parking in each year.

Karen Buck: Figures supplied to Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by local authorities showing the total income and expenditure on parking by local authorities in England in 200405 are in the following table.
	
		
			 200405 000 
		
		
			 Total income 1,164,446 
			 Total expenditure 708,795 
			 Net current expenditure -455,651 
		
	
	I have arranged for a table giving a breakdown by authority to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Information on local authority parking income and expenditure for the financial year 200506 will be available towards the end of 2006.
	Separate statistics on income derived by local authorities from parking charges and parking penalties are not available.

Pedestrian Casualties (Schools)

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrian casualties there have been outside schools in each local authority in Greater Manchester since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: No information is available on the proximity of accidents to schools.

Post Office

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what services to the public which are provided by his Department are available from the Post Office.

Karen Buck: Vehicle Re-licensing (car tax renewal) and a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) service is provided over the counter in approximately 4,600 branches. Postal applications are handled in 120 of these offices.
	A Photocard Driving Licence Premium Service, checking application forms and supporting identity documents, is provided in approximately 700 branches.
	A range of vehicle and driving licence forms are held in all 14,000 branches.

Railways

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it a condition of the next rail franchise for the line operated by C2C Rail Ltd. that the successful company reintroduce (a) flexitime and (b) early bird season tickets; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: No. C2C Rail Limited's flexitime and early bird season tickets are both unregulated fares; such fares may be set by the train operator on a commercial basis, and discontinued (or new fares introduced) as the operator sees fit.

Railways

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the future viability of the Stalybridge-Stockport railway line for local passenger rail services.

Derek Twigg: The Department has made no assessment of the future viability for local passenger services on the Stalybridge to Stockport railway line.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many obstructions of railway track by road vehicles have occurred as a result of (a) misadventure and (b) vandalism in each year since 1997; and how many of these have led to a train striking the vehicle.

Derek Twigg: The data in the following table is extracted from notifications to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. RIDDOR data does not break down the cause of obstructions on a line.
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Line obstructed by a road vehicle. Excludes level crossings. 27 37 39 31 30 31 22 25 21 
			 Train colliding with a road vehiclevandalism. Excludes level crossings. 2 1 3 2 3 3 0 3 4 
			 Train colliding with a road vehicleother causes. Excludes level crossings. 2 1 3 0 5 2 1 2 1 
			 Train colliding with a road vehicle(45) at level crossing 20 32 26 24 15 16 29 20 20 
		
	
	(45) For level crossing incidents, the definition of vehicle includes bicycles as well as motor vehicles.
	Data for 2005 is provisional at this stage. The figures are for Great Britain.

Railways

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the contribution that the railway industry is making towards (a) relieving road traffic congestion and (b) economic regeneration; how this contribution to these objectives is assessed; what criteria he uses for determining which railway infrastructure projects should proceed; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The contribution that the railway industry makes towards relieving road traffic congestion and economic regeneration is assessed each time a decision is made on whether to implement a railway investment project or major service enhancement. This is done using social cost benefit analysis techniques, as defined in the Department's New Approach to Appraisal (NATA). Projects which proceed are those which yield the highest net social benefit per pound of public sector support. Where benefits or costs cannot be monetised, they will be taken into account using the approach set in the NATA. Further details are on the Department's website.

Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to achieve the renewable transport fuels obligation; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government announced on 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 29WS, that the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) will be introduced in April 2008, and that the level of the obligation will be 5 per cent. in the financial year 201011. We hope to be in a position to consult by the end of this year on the draft regulations that will bring the RTFO into effect.

Roads (South West Region)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list constituencies in the South West region in which there are non-motorway trunk roads passing through areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Stephen Ladyman: Constituencies in the South West region in which there are non-motorway trunk roads passing through areas of outstanding natural beauty are as follows:
	North Cornwall;
	South East Cornwall;
	Tiverton and Honiton;
	East Devon;
	Dorset West;
	Westbury;
	Salisbury;
	Cotswold;
	Tewksbury;
	Northavon and Bath.

Ryanair (Security Breaches)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on security breaches at Stansted Airport involving Ryanair staff.

Karen Buck: The Department views any failings in security procedures seriously. We follow up at the time with the organisation concerned and take corrective action where that is necessary. It would not be appropriate to set out the steps we may take as a result of alleged breaches in security.

Ryanair (Security Breaches)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the safety practices of Ryanair and their compliance with Civil Aviation Authority standards and procedures; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Foreign airlines operating to the UK are required to meet the international standards and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. In addition, EU airlines also have to meet more detailed European safety requirements.
	The UK Civil Aviation Authority can carry out ramp inspections of foreign airlines on behalf of the Secretary of State and has inspected Ryanair on a number of occasions over the last year.
	These inspections have not identified any significant safety deficiencies, nor have similar inspections carried out in other European states.
	The CAA has discussed the recent allegations about Ryanair's safety standards with the Irish Aviation Authority. As a result of these discussions together with information from the ramp inspections, the CAA concluded that issues covered in these allegations do not give rise to any concerns about the safety of Ryanair that would merit any action against the airline.

Sherford Development (Plymouth)

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Highways Agency will permit traffic from the proposed new Sherford development, Plymouth, to turn west along the A38 at Deep Lane junction.

Stephen Ladyman: Highways Agency staff in Exeter are working closely with local partners to identify the transportation impact of the proposed Sherford development, and the necessary mitigation works which will include improvements to the Deep Lane junction. There are no plans to stop vehicles from turning west out of the development along the A38.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the statutory instruments introduced by his Department since 6 May 2005.

Karen Buck: I have arranged to be placed in the Library of the House a list of the general statutory instruments made by the Department between 6 May 2005 and 31 January 2006 and a list of the local statutory instruments made by it between 6 May 2005 and 2 February 2006.

Thameslink 2000

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used for selecting stations to be improved with extended platforms to accommodate 12 car trains on the Midland branch of the Thameslink 2000 line proposals; what estimate has been made of the number of passengers using each station; and whether future housing development has been taken into account in such estimates.

Derek Twigg: The criteria for selecting which stations should have their platforms extended to accommodate 12 car trains were: passenger flow projections for the whole of the Thameslink 2000 route; and train service specification.
	For the Midland branch of the Thameslink 2000 route, forecast numbers of boarders per station range from under a thousand for some stations to over 6,000 for the busier stations (for the am peak three hour period 0700 to 1000). Future population and employment predictions have been included in these forecasts.
	The Department will consider on a case by case basis the merits for extending platforms to accommodate trains of 12 car length at stations along the Midland branch that were not included in the submitted applications. This will include assessing future forecast population and employment forecasts.

Thameslink 2000

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include Radlett station in the programme of station improvements to facilitate the use of 12 car trains under the Thameslink 2000 programme.

Derek Twigg: Network Rail's submitted applications for the Thameslink 2000 project do not include a proposal to enable Radlett station to accommodate trains of 12 car length.
	We will consider on a case by case basis the merits of extending platforms to accommodate trains of 12 car length at stations along the Midland branch that were not included in the submitted applications. This will include Radlett station.

Train Fares

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will list the representations he has received from individuals and organisations in Southend on (a) increases in fares by C2C Rail Ltd and (b) the decision by C2C Rail Ltd to abolish Flexitime and Early Bird season tickets; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with C2C Rail Ltd about their decision to abolish (a) Flexitime and (b) Early Bird season tickets; what consultation the company undertook in advance of the decision; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the cost of (a) a weekly, (b) a monthly and (c) an annual season rail ticket from (i) Southend-on-Sea, (ii) Chalkwell and (iii) Leigh-on-Sea to London Fenchurch Street was in each year since 1996;
	(4)  what consultation was undertaken by C2C Rail Ltd about increasing its fares in January; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what recent representations he has received from (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public about the decision of C2C Rail Ltd to increase its fares in January; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Train operators are not required to consult the Department when setting fares, although all regulated fares must be set within prescribed limits. Regulated fares cover most of those used by commuters, including full fare singles, returns and season tickets from Southend, Chalkwell and Leigh on Sea to London. Regulated fares are limited to an average annual increase of 1 per cent. more than inflation from 2004 onwards. Regulated fares in London and the Southeast are on average more than 3 per cent. lower in 2006 in real terms than in 1995.
	The following table compares fares on C2C in 1995 and 2006, showing the reduction in real terms in fares from Southend to London:
	
		
		
			  Journey Weekly Monthly Annual 
		
		
			 1995 Southend to London terminals 50.30 193.20 2,012.00 
			 2006 Southend to London terminals 58.30 223.90 2,332.00 
			  
			 1995 Chalkwell to London terminals 49.60 190.50 1,984.00 
			 2006 Chalkwell to London terminals 56.50 217.00 2,260.00 
			  
			 1995 Leigh on Sea to London terminals 49.40 189.70 1,976.00 
			 2006 Leigh on Sea to London terminals 56.50 217.00 2,260.00 
		
	
	Note:
	Inflation over the same period=33 per cent.
	Unregulated fares, which includes off-peak fares and C2C's 'flexitime' or 'earlybird' seasons, may be set by the operator on a commercial basis, and discontinued (or new fares introduced) as the operator sees fit. It is not necessary for train operators to carry out consultation or to consult the Department when these fares are varied and the Department has received no representations on the subject.

Transport (Disabled Access)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further plans he has to improve access to transport for disabled people.

Karen Buck: We are building on the progress we have already made in implementing accessibility regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 for trains and trams and for buses and coaches.
	The provisions in the DDA 2005 enable us to enhance further the accessibility of public transport. In particular, it provides for us to lift the transport exemption in Part 3 of the DDA (that covers access to goods, services and facilities). We have already made regulations that will lift the exemption in relation to public transport-buses and coaches, trains and trams, taxis and private hire vehicles-as well as for vehicles used on leisure and tourism services, vehicle hire services and vehicle breakdown services. Those regulations come into force on 4 December this year.
	On rail the DDA 2005 also requires us to set an end date-of no later than 1 January 2020-by which time all rail vehicles will have to meet accessibility regulations. The Act also provides for those regulations to be applied to rail vehicles when they are refurbished.
	We are also working to introduce compliance certification and a more responsive enforcement regime. We propose that those measures will be in place by the end of this year.
	We are also addressing affordability of services. From 1 April this year, disabled people in England will be guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel. The rail industry also provides for concessionary travel on rail services through the Disabled Persons' Railcard.

Transport Costs

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of (a) average and (b) the range of costs for journeys by (i) rail and (ii) air; what assessment he has made of the merits of a policy to keep the average cost of travel by rail below that of travel by air; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: All air fares and most rail fares are unregulated and so are set by the operator concerned. The Government has no role in setting the relative levels of air and rail fares in the past and has no plans to do so in the future.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Abbeygate Developments

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with Abbeygate Developments about the possibility of building a casino in Milton Keynes.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not has any discussion with Abbeygate Developments about the possibility of building a casino in Milton Keynes. Any such discussion of whether Milton Keynes could have a license for a casino of this nature would be a matter for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Milton Keynes council and other local stakeholders.

Arson

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many arson attacks were reported by schools in each year since 1996

Jim Fitzpatrick: The table shows the number of school fires which were started deliberately and attended by the fire and rescue service in England since 1996.
	
		
			  Number of deliberate school fires 
		
		
			 1996 985 
			 1997 865 
			 1998 964 
			 1999 821 
			 2000 752 
			 2001 852 
			 2002(46) 696 
			 2003(46) 821 
			 2004 677 
		
	
	(46) Including estimates for incidents not recorded during periods of industrial action in 2002 and 2003.
	Source:
	Fire  Rescue Service FDR1 returns to ODPM.

Arson

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will meet hon. Members and representatives from Cambridgeshire constabulary, Cambridgeshire fire and rescue and Peterborough city council to discuss strategies to combat incidences of arson in the Greater Peterborough area.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I shall arrange to discuss these issues with representatives from Cambridgeshire at a mutually convenient time.

Arson

Greg Knight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many dogs are used by each fire authority in England and Wales to detect arson; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: One of the most powerful deterrents in the fight against arson is the fear of detection. The Fire Investigation Dog team can therefore play a significant role by helping the police and fire and rescue services to identify the cause, development and spread of fire and by detecting the presence of accelerants.
	Statistics concerning the numbers of fire investigation dogs in England and Wales are not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the percentage of households in each London borough equipped with (a) carbon monoxide alarms and (b) fire alarms.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information on the percentage of households in each London borough equipped with carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms is not held centrally, and can be given only at a disproportionate cost.
	In 200405, an estimated 70 per cent. of all households in London were equipped with at least one working smoke alarm. By the end of 2005, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority had installed 23,212 smoke alarms in vulnerable households through the Government funded Home Fire Risk Check Initiative since its establishment in October 2004.

Compensation Claims

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department has given to local authorities on handling compensation claims.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not issued any guidance to local authorities on handling compensation claims-compensation claims against a local authority are matters for local authorities to handle.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs is coordinating a programme of work across Government to prevent a compensation culture from developing; tackle perceptions that can lead to a disproportionate fear of litigation and risk averse behaviour; find ways to discourage and resist bad claims; and improve the system for those with a valid claim for compensation. The ODPM is contributing to this work.

Compensation Claims

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to reduce the cost of compensation claims against local government.

Phil Woolas: Claims for compensation made against a local authority are matters for local authorities to handle. However, the Department for Constitutional Affairs is coordinating a cross Government programme of work to tackle perceptions of a compensation culture and to improve the system for valid claims. Part of this work involves promoting appropriate and proportionate risk management; encouraging defendants such as local authorities to resist bad claims; and making the system more timely, proportionate and cost-effective for valid claims. The ODPM, along with other central departments, is feeding into this work.

Council Pay Awards

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average pay awards were for (a) district councils, (b) borough councils, (c) city councils, (d) London borough councils and (e) county councils in each year from 1997 to 2005.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect this level of detailed information. However, the national percentage awards from 1997 for local government services staff were:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 April  
			 1997 2.50 
			 1998 3.00 
			 1999 3.00 
			 2000 3.00 
			 2001 3.5 
			 2002 (47)3.00 
			   
			 October  
			 2002 (48)1.00 
			   
			 April  
			 2003 3.50 
			 2004 2.75 
			 2005 2.95 
			 2006 2.95 
		
	
	(47) Plus 1.00 per cent. for Spinal Column Points 4 and 5*.
	(48) Plus 1.00 per cent. for Spinal Column Points 4 and 5.

Council Tax

Mark Hunter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were prosecuted for non-payment of council tax in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what proportion of those prosecuted were pensioners.

Phil Woolas: Non-payment of council tax is not a criminal offence. If the appropriate reminder notices have been sent and a debt remains unpaid, a local billing authority may apply to the magistrates court for a Liability Order which formally establishes that there is a debt. The Liability Order enables enforcement action to be taken.
	The Government does not collect information on the number or breakdown of taxpayers against whom billing authorities take enforcement action for non-payment of council tax.

Council Tax

Mark Hunter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister at what level he will cap local authority council tax increases in their forthcoming budgets.

Phil Woolas: No decisions have been taken about capping in 200607. The Government's intention is to decide on the use of its capping powers after authorities have set their budgets for that year.

Council Tax

Mark Hunter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what percentage council tax has changed on average in England in each year from 1997.

Phil Woolas: Details of the annual percentage change in the average council tax bill for a Band D property with two adults for each year since 199798 are published in Table 2.2e of Local Government Financial Statistics England No 16, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House and on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at:
	http://wwwlocal.odpm.gov.uk/finance/stats/lgfs/2005/lgfs/2005/lgfsl6/xlsfiles/lgfs162-2e.xls

Council Tax

Stephen Byers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to protect pensioners from above inflation increases in council tax; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has now delivered an above inflation grant increase to local government for 10 successive years, which will ensure that they can provide a high level of service without placing excessive demands on their council tax payers. Pensioners will benefit from this along with everyone else. The ODPM has also made clear that we will not hesitate to use our capping powers to deal with excessive increases if this proves necessary.
	Help with council tax bills is available for those who are least well off through council tax benefit. Nearly two and a half million people aged 60 or over now benefit from this. The Government are actively working to ensure that people who are entitled to this benefit get it.

Council Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what procedure should be followed by a billing authority in circumstances where a householder has claimed a council tax discount for which they are not eligible.

Phil Woolas: Billing authorities are under a duty to collect all the council tax due to them and take reasonable steps to ensure that council tax discounts and exemptions are properly awarded. If it comes to light that a householder is being given a council tax discount or exemption to which they are not entitled, then the authority should bill the householder for the additional liability for the period where it can be demonstrated that the same circumstances have applied.
	Billing authorities have the power to impose a penalty of 50 where taxpayers fail to notify them within 21 days that a discount or exemption should no longer apply. Where a person claims a discount or exemption to which they know that they are not entitled, then they may also be subject to prosecution under the Theft Act 1968 for obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.

County Boundaries

David Gauke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to redraw county boundaries to take account of reorganisation of local authorities.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no such plans. A public debate has been launched about the best governance arrangements for local areas in the future and are interested to hear views on the merits of change and how it might be made. The ODPM plans to publish a White Paper on the future of local government in the summer.

Departmental Assets (Milton Keynes)

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) land and (b) property his Department owns in the North East Milton Keynes constituency.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not own any land or property in the North East Milton Keynes constituency.

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many job advertisements were placed by his Office (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what total cost in each case.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed in may 2002 and records are only available from this date. The following table shows the information requested.
	
		
			  Total number of job adverts Job adverts in print Job adverts on websites Total cost (000) Average cost in print (000) Average cost on website (000) 
		
		
			 2002 25 17 18 194 8.5 2.7 
			 2003 18 15 23 173 8.6 1.8 
			 2004 21 16 21 96 4.5 1.1 
			 2005 19 21 13 125 4.5 2.4

Departmental Staff

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff in his Department are paid on a performance-related basis.

Jim Fitzpatrick: All staff in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were subject to a performance related pay award in 2005.

Departmental Staff

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's definition is of bullying for the purposes of staff welfare and discipline.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Bullying is not specifically defined within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister but harassment and bullying are examples of alleged or perceived behaviour that would be considered under serious misconduct within the ODPM's disciplinary procedures.
	In addition the Staff Handbook of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister states that irrespective of race, ethnic or national origin, nationality, age, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, working hours, agreed working patterns, fixed term appointment, union membership, union office or union activity, the ODPM will provide staff with, and staff have a right to, a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation and access to a complaints and grievances procedure for dealing with discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation in the workplace.

District and Borough Elections

David Gauke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the district and borough elections scheduled for May 2007 will take place at the scheduled time.

Phil Woolas: We expect and intend the 2007 elections to go ahead as planned in all authorities.

Empty Homes

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many empty homes there were in each London borough in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The number of vacant dwellings in each London borough at a specified date in each year from 1997 to 2004 is given in the following table:
	
		
			  1 April 1 November 3 November 1 November 
			 Snap-shot date 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Inner London
			 Camden 4,033 4,745 6,261 4,703 4,335 5,093 3,389 3,049 
			 City of London 32 22 (49) (49) 20 63 141 165 
			 Hackney 5,165 4,486 3,284 3,970 3,249 3,783 3,220 3,407 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,108 4,026 3,710 4,138 4,520 3,015 3,526 2,946 
			 Haringey 5,419 4,413 5,604 4,417 4,815 3,433 3,539 1,966 
			 Islington 5,392 2,970 2,897 2,773 3,231 2,908 4,020 2,677 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 8,387 (49) 1,655 1,715 6,067 4,576 3,308 3,064 
			 Lambeth 5,213 4,656 4,646 4,639 2518 4,488 5,037 3,291 
			 Lewisham 5,246 (49) 3,259 3,251 4,025 2,832 3,084 1,586 
			 Newham 3,424 5,183 5,717 4,663 5,090 3,280 2,535 2,645 
			 Southwark 3,665 4,658 6,649 6,917 6,364 3,478 4,973 4,439 
			 Tower Hamlets 4,894 5,071 5,507 5,306 5,425 5,072 2,669 2,047 
			 Wandsworth 2,783 1,991 2,511 2,314 2,051 5,202 (49) (49) 
			 Westminster 3,128 3,295 3,407 3,063 2,957 4,804 4,544 3,974 
			 Outer London
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,509 1,727 2,005 2,172 1,328 1,578 1,798 1,623 
			 Barnet 4,211 4,442 4,673 4,068 3114 5,093 3,512 3,607 
			 Bexley 2,410 2,467 2,203 1,185 1,982 2,064 2,268 2,161 
			 Brent 4,792 3,754 5,151 6,174 5,260 5,559 2,733 3,568 
			 Bromley (49) (49) 3,715 3,718 4,318 3,960 4,207 3,825 
			 Croydon 5,594 5,505 4,598 4,130 4,398 4,611 4,722 4,647 
			 Haling 5,433 5,705 5,397 2,308 2,445 3,196 3,308 3,416 
			 Enfield (49) (49) (49) (49) (49) 4,350 3,577 4,494 
			 Greenwich 4,523 4,508 4,421 4,541 3,038 3,417 2,922 3,084 
			 Harrow 983 1,081 1,325 1,231 1,191 2,195 2,462 1,484 
			 Havering (49) (49) (49) (49) 2,699 2,300 2,407 2,568 
			 Hillingdon 2,628 2,273 2,497 2,468 2,290 2,791 3,009 2,532 
			 Hounslow 2,306 2,211 2,012 1,903 1,038 3,510 1,932 2,125 
			 Kingston upon Thames (49) (49) (49) 1,152 (49) 2,169 2,333 2,394 
			 Merton 1,733 1,625 1,793 2,310 2,095 2,529 2,593 1,362 
			 Redbridge (49) (49) (49) (49) (49) 2,301 2,533 1,992 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2,420 1,714 1,600 1,629 1,751 3,497 3,086 2,166 
			 Sutton 1,826 2,205 2,342 1,243 2,238 2,285 2,234 2,351 
			 Waltham Forest 4,840 4,939 2,601 3,004 2,629 1,984 2,144 2,078 
		
	
	(49) no figure supplied
	Source:
	The figures for 1997 to 2001 are based on a combination of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) return, and the Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return (RSR). For the years 2002 to 2004 the figures are based on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Council Tax Base 1 (CTB1) return.
	These figures are for all vacant dwellings, including dwellings that have been empty for fewer than six months, some for less than 1 month. The Government are introducing new powers from April 2006 for local authorities to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in their area.

Empty Homes

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, columns 6812W, on housing, what statistical methods of comparison his Department has used to analyse the effectiveness of the Empty Homes Strategy.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has two methods of assessing local authority empty property strategiestheir annual housing strategy (HSSA) returns on the number of vacant dwelling and their returns for Best Value Performance Indicator 64. The former provides information on the number of empty dwellings in each local housing authority area, broken down by tenure, on an annual basis. The latter provides information on the number of empty dwellings brought back into use by each local housing authority on an annual basis.

Empty Homes

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, columns 6812W, on housing, what assessment he has made of Purbeck's performance in implementing the Empty Homes Strategy.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not make a detailed assessment of individual local authorities' implementation of their empty homes strategies.

Ex-emergency Services

Justine Greening: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) ex-emergency services and (b) ex-services personnel who are homeless.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 6 February 2006
	Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected in respect of households, rather than persons, and distinguishes the number accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category. Following extensions to these categories in July 2002, persons vulnerable as a result of having served in Her Majesty's regular armed forces have a priority need for accommodation, and the number accepted for this reason are separately identified. Ex emergency service personnelthat is, police, fire service and the ambulance service, are not a designated priority need group, and such applicants are not identified in statistical returns.
	Based on information supplied by local authorities, it is estimated that around 20 or 30 cases involving vulnerable ex-forces personnel are accepted nationally each quarter, representing just 0.1 per cent. of all acceptances.

Fire Inspections (Schools)

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many schools were inspected by fire officers in each year since 1996.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information on the number of schools inspected by fire officers is not collated centrally; however, the total number of fire inspections that were carried out in schools (excluding follow-up inspections) is available from 199899, and is presented in the table:
	
		
			  Inspections (excluding follow-up) 
		
		
			 199899 12,979 
			 19992000 12,221 
			 200001(50) 12,016 
			 200102 12,919 
			 200203 12,963 
			 200304 15,067 
		
	
	(50) Data are not available for East Sussex.

Fire Precautions Act (Schools)

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many schools are exempted by fire authorities from the requirement to certify parts of the school designated by order under the Fire Precautions Act 1971.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Firefighters

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what factors the Government took into account when deciding to amend the Fire Services Injury Pension Arrangement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Injury awards currently provided for in the Firefighters' Pension Scheme are not part of the contributory pension arrangements and to satisfy the requirements of the new pension tax regime which comes into operation on 6 April, the Government are in process of establishing a separate Firefighters' Compensation Scheme. No change will be made to the arrangements which will continue to be based on an assessment of the loss of earnings capacity as a consequence of a duty related injury.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is preparing for consultation proposals for new compensation arrangements. The objective will be to ensure that future arrangements are more equitable and meet the future needs of the Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research his Department has evaluated on the effects of age on the performance of firefighters.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister undertook a review of the published literature on the physiological capability of firefighters to perform their operational duties. The literature review was wide ranging, but included the effects of age. It was published on the ODPM website in December 2004.

Firefighters

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many firefighters in (a) West Lancashire and (b) England retired on the grounds of ill-health in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of firefighters retiring on the grounds of ill-health in West Lancashire is not available centrally. However, the number of firefighters that retired on the grounds of ill-health in the Lancashire fire and rescue service and England in each year is presented in the following table:
	
		
			  Lancashire  England(51) 
			  Whole-time firefighter Retained duty system firefighter Total Whole-time firefighter Retained duty system firefighter Total 
		
		
			 19992000 17 0 17 557 68 625 
			 200001 9 2 11 578 69 647 
			 200102 14 2 16 570 60 630 
			 200203 9 2 11 545 42 587 
			 200304 5 0 5 485 46 531 
		
	
	(51) 200001 figures for West Sussex are not available
	Source:
	ODPM annual returns

Firefighters

Norman Lamb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many retained firefighters there are in each region of England; and how many vacancies for retained firefighters there are in each region.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of retained duty system firefighters in each region of England is presented in the table. However, information on the number of vacancies in each region is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Government Office Region 31 March 2005(52) 
		
		
			 North West 1,127 
			 North East 472 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 971 
			 West Midlands 1,248 
			 East Midlands 1,647 
			 East of England 2,213 
			 South West 2,855 
			 South East 2,987 
			 London 0 
		
	
	(52) Provisional data.
	Note:
	The figures provided are a snapshot at 31 March.
	Source:
	ODPM annual returns.

Firefighters

Norman Lamb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how long on average it takes to fill vacancies for retained firefighters in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Firefighters

Norman Lamb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many areas in England are reliant on retained firefighters rather than full-time firefighters; how many of these areas have a full quota of retained firefighters; and in how many of these areas there are unfilled vacancies for retained firefighters.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table sets out the proportion of fire stations in each fire and rescue service area that are wholly operated by retained duty system firefighters. Four of these areas have a full quota of retained duty system firefighters. Information on unfilled vacancies is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Fire and Rescue Service Area firefighters Percentage of fire stations wholly operated by retained duty system 
		
		
			 Isle of Wight 90 
			 Norfolk 88 
			 Somerset 88 
			 Shropshire 87 
			 Cumbria 87 
			 Lincolnshire 84 
			 Isles of Scilly 83 
			 Devon 81 
			 Gloucestershire 80 
			 Suffolk 80 
			 Cornwall 77 
			 Oxfordshire 75 
			 Cambridgeshire 74 
			 Hampshire 71 
			 Wiltshire 71 
			 Hereford and Worcester 70 
			 North Yorkshire 69 
			 Dorset 69 
			 Northumberland 68 
			 West Sussex 68 
			 Kent 65 
			 Essex 65 
			 Derbyshire 65 
			 Northamptonshire 64 
			 Staffordshire 63 
			 Warwickshire 63 
			 Humberside 63 
			 Leicestershire 55 
			 Avon 52 
			 Nottinghamshire 52 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 50 
			 Buckinghamshire 50 
			 East Sussex 50 
			 Hertfordshire 50 
			 County Durham and Darlington 47 
			 Royal Berkshire 45 
			 Lancashire 44 
			 Cheshire 42 
			 Cleveland 40 
			 Surrey 29 
			 West Yorkshire 24 
			 South Yorkshire 21 
			 Tyne and Wear 5 
			 Greater Manchester 2 
			 West Midlands 2 
			 London 0 
			 Merseyside 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service returns to ODPM.

Firefighters

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment has been made of the possible impact of the increased retirement age under the proposed new firefighters' pension scheme on the health and safety of firefighters.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There is no compulsory retirement age for firefighters and, subject to fitness, firefighters may remain in employment in the Fire and Rescue Service beyond the current normal pension age of 55.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is satisfied that with improved standards of fitness and good quality occupational health arrangements, there should not be any adverse impact on the health and safety of firefighters when from April 2006 the normal pension age for new entrant firefighters is set at age 60. There are now greater opportunities for firefighters to develop competencies in supporting the wider functions of the Service as provided for in the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and in particular in promoting fire safety.
	The minimum pension age under the proposed new firefighters' pension scheme will be age 55 and fire and rescue authorities will have the discretion to allow scheme members to retire with a pension from this age.

Firefighters

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) full-time and (b) retained firefighters have been employed in (i) Gravesham and (ii) Kent in each year since 199697.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information on the number of firefighters that have been employed in Gravesham is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the number of firefighters employed in Kent fire and rescue service in each year since 199697 is presented in the following table.
	
		Firefighters employed by Kent fire and rescue service
		
			  Wholetime Retained duty system Total 
		
		
			 1997 937 737 1,674 
			 1998 959 738 1,697 
			 1999 938 739 1,677 
			 2000 942 780 1,722 
			 2001 944 771 1,715 
			 2002 951 736 1,687 
			 2003 938 719 1,657 
			 2004 942 739 1,681 
			 2005(53) 892 111 1,669 
		
	
	(53) Provisional data.
	Note:
	The figures provided are a snapshot at 31 March each year.
	Source:
	ODPM annual returns

Firefighters

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) full-time and (b) retained firefighters have taken early retirement in (i) Gravesham and (ii) Kent in each year since 199697; and what assessment he has made of the frequency of reasons given for early retirement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information on the number of firefighters that have taken early retirement in Gravesham and Kent is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the number of firefighters that have retired on the grounds of ill health in the Kent fire and rescue service in each year since 199899 is presented in the following table. Separate information on ill health retirements in Gravesham and information on ill health retirements for individual fire and rescue services prior to 199899 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of ill health retirements: Kent fire and rescue service
		
			  Whole-time Retained duty system Total 
		
		
			 199899 26 4 30 
			 19992000 14 3 17 
			 200001 13 4 17 
			 200102 14 3 17 
			 200203 17 3 20 
			 200304 16 0 16 
			 200405(54) 10 0 10 
		
	
	(54) Provisional data.
	Source:
	ODPM annual returns.
	Musculo skeletal injuries (including back and knee injuries) are the most common reason given for ill health retirement nationally.

Firefighters

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much funding his Department allocated to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme in each year between 1997 and 2005.

Phil Woolas: Funding for the Firefighters' Pension Scheme was not separately identified within the grant distributed to Fire and Rescue Authorities for the years between 1997 and 2005. From the 1 April 2006 the new arrangements for financing firefighter pensions will ensure that funding allocated to support the cost of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme is separately identified. This is designed to increase transparency in authorities' budgets, in that they will more accurately reflect the ongoing accruing costs of providing the frontline service.

Free Bus Travel

Mark Hunter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list local authorities who received less funding in their revenue support grants for 200607 than they require specifically to cover the cost of the introduction of free bus passes for older and disabled people.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) on 23 February 2006.

Free Bus Travel

Nick Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what representations he has received concerning the formula used to distribute the sum of money allocated to cover the cost of the free bus travel policy announced in the Budget;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received concerning free bus travel between different transport authorities.

Phil Woolas: Out of the 336 representations received during the consultation period for the local government finance settlement, 61 mentioned the funding for concessionary fares. The points raised are summarised in the tables as follows.
	
		Table 1: Summary table
		
			 Issue Number of representations 
		
		
			 Not enough money for concessionary fares 34 
			 Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 18 
			 Judgment for setting coefficients not transparent 2 
			 Need more transparency in the amount of funding  for concessionary fares 5 
			 Miscellaneous 2 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Authority/Association and the main issue raised
		
			  Authority/ Association Issue raised 
		
		
			 1 Association of London Government (ALG) Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 2 County Councils Network (CCN) Judgment for setting coefficients not transparent 
			 3 Local Government Association (LGA) Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 4 Mersey Travel Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 5 Society of District County Treasurers (SDCT) Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 6 South East England Regional Authority Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 7 Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) Need more transparency in the amount of funding for concessionary fares 
			 8 Sparsity Partnership for Authorities delivering Rural Services (SPARSE) Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 9 Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 10 Lincolnshire County, district and police authorities Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 11 Rob Wilson MPWokingham District Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 12 Anne Milton MPGuildford Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 13 Bexley Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 14 Camden Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 15 Croydon Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 16 Hammersmith and Fulham Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 17 Harrow Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 18 Lambeth Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 19 London Borough of Havering Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 20 Sutton Need more transparency in the amount of funding for concessionary fares 
			 21 Birmingham Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 22 Doncaster Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 23 Gateshead Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 24 Greater Merseyside Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 25 Kirklees Need more transparency in the amount of funding for concessionary fares 
			 26 Leeds City Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 27 North Tyneside Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 28 Rochdale MBC Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 29 Sefton Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 30 South Tyneside Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 31 Stockport Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 32 Sunderland City Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 33 Trafford BC Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 34 Carlisle Using RSG to distribute Concessionary Fares is unfair 
			 35 Dacorum Judgement for setting coefficients not transparent 
			 36 East Lindsey Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 37 East Staffordshire Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 38 Epping Forest District Council Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 39 Epsom and Ewell BC Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 40 Fareham Borough Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 41 Guildford Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 42 North Hertfordshire Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 43 North Kesteven Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 44 North Norfolk Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 45 Nuneaton and Bedworth Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 46 Preston City Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 47 Restormel Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 48 Rushcliffe Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 49 South Hams Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 50 South Norfolk Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 51 Spelthorne Council Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 52 Thanet Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 53 West Devon Need more transparency in the amount of funding for concessionary fares 
			 54 West Lancashire District Council Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 55 Brighton and Hove Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 56 Derby City Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 57 Gloucester City Council Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 58 Medway Support the concessionary fare funding scheme 
			 59 Stockton Borough Council Need more transparency in the amount of funding for concessionary fares 
			 60 Torbay Not enough money for concessionary fares 
			 61 East Sussex Concessionary fares should be funded by a specific grant 
		
	
	Of those authorities who raised the issue of concessionary fares, six authorities and one authority group were concerned about travel between authorities.
	
		
			 Authority/Authority Group name Concern regarding cross border travel 
		
		
			 Durham City Council A move to national standards and appropriate funding would be welcomed 
			 East Lindsey District Council Notes the existence of cross border schemes 
			 Epson and Ewell Borough Council Notes the existence of cross border schemes 
			 North Hertfordshire A move to national standards and appropriate funding would be welcomed 
			 Society of District Council Treasurers A move to national standards and appropriate funding would be welcomed 
			 Thanet District Council Notes the existence of cross border schemes, would like to see national standards and funding 
			 West Lancashire Notes the existence of cross border schemes

Free Bus Travel

Nick Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge of 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2818W, on the free bus travel scheme, if he will list the local authorities which were allocated more funding for the concessionary scheme than they required specifically to operate the scheme in their area.

Phil Woolas: It is not possible to calculate how much funding has been allocated to each authority with respect to concessionary fares, since this is funded through an unhypothecated formula grant. Nor is it yet clear what the exact costs will be in each area, since this will be affected among other things by take up of the new free passes and travel.

Hertfordshire

David Gauke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what representations he has received from (a) Hertfordshire local authorities and (b) the Mayor of London on an extension of the geographical scope of the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly to include areas of Hertfordshire;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the merits of extending the responsibilities of the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly to areas of Hertfordshire.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government set out its proposals for additional powers and responsibilities for the Greater London authority in a consultation paper, published on 30 November 2005. It includes no proposals to extend the responsibilities of the Mayor of London and London Assembly beyond the Greater London boundary. The consultation closes on 22 February.

High Hedges

Michael Wills: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many orders have been made by local councils in (a) England, (b) Wiltshire and (c) Swindon constituency to remove hedges under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, local authorities may require remedial works to hedges but not their complete removal.

Holiday Homes

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the current arrangements are regarding council tax on holiday homes; whether the Lyons Commission is considering changes to those arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Local billing authorities can set the council tax discount on second homes at any point between 50 per cent. and 10 per cent. Second homes are dwellings which are furnished and no-one's main residence. Dwellings which are intended to be let on a self-catering basis for short periods totalling 140 days or more a year are subject to non-domestic (business) rates.
	It is for Sir Michael Lyons to decide what to consider within the terms of reference of his independent inquiry into local government funding.

Home Energy Efficiency

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on the implementation of the EU Buildings Energy Performance Directive.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is making good progress. In the ODPM press notice of 13 September, I announced changes to the building regulations and the implementation of the technical provisions of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. These measures come into effect in April 2006.
	There is a three-year derogation period within the directive to apply fully the other procedural provisions requiring the provision of information. Government have signalled that they propose to use this derogation as there are not sufficient numbers of suitably qualified inspectors in place.
	The introduction of the home inspection pack in June 2007 and associated training of Home Inspectors will cover requirements of the directive for the marketed sales of dwellings. The ODPM is engaging with industry stakeholders to establish a sufficient number of suitably qualified inspectors to support a phased programme of implementation in other sectors.
	I expect to make a further statement on implementation of the directive soon.

Home Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of home inspectors required to produce home information packs once the scheme is fully operational.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister estimates that the number of home inspectors required will be between 5,000 and 7,400. This estimate has been developed in consultation with the industry, and it will be kept under review. Over 2,500 home inspectors are already trained or being trained, and expect the number coming forward to increase progressively now that the ODPM has announced an implementation date of 1 June 2007.

Home Information Packs

Clive Betts: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of consequences for the housing market of the introduction of home information packs.

Yvette Cooper: Home information packs will improve the home buying process by making it more transparent and by reducing the current high rate of transaction failure and the associated wasted costs that are currently costing consumers over 1 million per day. The pack will also help achieve our goal of sustainable home ownership by ensuring that home buyers are not faced with unexpected repairs and other commitments they cannot afford.

Home Information Packs

Clive Betts: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when a timetable for the implementation of home information packs will be published.

Yvette Cooper: The Government intend to introduce home information packs in phases, which will allow industry to test fully their systems and processes in a voluntary environment to ensure the smooth implementation of mandatory packs on 1 June 2007. We are discussing with stakeholders the best way to do this, and intend to publish a timetable following these discussions.

Homelessness

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of how many and what proportion of homeless people (a) are ex-service personnel and (b) have mental health problems.

Yvette Cooper: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected in respect of applicant households, and distinguishes the number accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category. Households containing persons considered vulnerable as a result of a mental disability and, since July 2002, persons vulnerable as a result of having served in Her Majesty's regular armed forces have a priority need.
	The number of households accepted as homeless in these two categories by English local authorities during 200405, and during the first six months of 200506, and the percentage that these represent of all acceptances, is presented in the following table. These figures will not necessarily represent all homelessness acceptances involving ex-forces personnel or those with mental health problems, as some may be concealed within other main priority need categoriessuch as households with dependent children, or an expectant mother.
	
		Statutory homelessness: England
		
			  Local authority acceptances(55) where the main category of priority need was reported(56) as Vulnerability as a result of ..: All 
			  having served in HM Forces mental illness or disability households accepted in 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage priority need 
		
		
			 200405 100 0.1 10,650 8.8 120,860 
			 200506(57) 40 0.1 4,180 8.0 52,110 
		
	
	(55) Households accepted by the local authority as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need and therefore owed a main homelessness duty.
	(56) Figures include ODPM estimates for any non-response, and have been rounded to the nearest ten.
	(57) April to September.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly)
	Information is also collected on the number of people who sleep rough, that is, those with no fixed abode who are literally roofless. As at June 2005 there were an estimated 459 people sleeping rough in England on any one single night, the lowest ever recorded figure. In 2001, a survey estimated that 14 per cent. of rough sleepers had served in the forces at some point in their lives, although more recent analysis suggest this has fallen to 10 per cent.
	A 1996 study found that just over half of people sleeping rough using day centres had symptoms indicative of common mental health problems, while a 2002 survey commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that between a third and a half of rough sleepers have mental health problems.

Homelessness

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment the Government have made of the causes of homelessness.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's understanding of the causes of homelessness and the actions that can be taken to tackle it more effectively was summarised in 2005 in the strategy for tackling homelessness, Sustainable Communities: settled homes, changing lives. This endorsed the analysis in the 2002 report More than a roof. Homelessness is caused by a number of factors, some of which relate to the wider state of the economy and the housing market and others which are personal to the individual or family, or reflect social and demographic change.
	The overall supply of affordable housing is a key structural factor and the Government are increasing investment to deliver 75,000 social rented homes and 40,000 homes for essential public sector workers and low cost home ownership by 2008. Options for making greater use of the private rented sector as a source of settled solutions for homeless households are also being developed.
	Local authorities are asked to record the reasons when they accept a household as being unintentionally homeless and in priority need. The most recent statutory homelessness statistics for England (for the third quarter of 2005) are on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The most important recorded reasons are parents, relatives or friends no longer willing to accommodate the household, the breakdown of a relationship with a partner and the ending of an assured shorthold tenancy. Since 2002 the Government have promoted an increasing emphasis on developing innovative approaches to the prevention of homelessness. Successful approaches to homelessness prevention have been developed to address the presenting problems of households approaching local authorities, for example mediation to resolve family and relationship breakdown and rent deposit schemes to provide access to the private rented sector.
	It is recognised that the recorded reasons often obscure a complex chain of events that preceded the homelessness acceptance. At present relatively little is known about the personal, social and economic circumstances of homeless families and other vulnerable people accepted by local authorities, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is undertaking further research to improve understanding of the deeper social and personal issues involved. To address this gap in the evidence base the ODPM is currently conducting a major survey of households with children and of young people accepted as homeless by local authorities on the causes, impacts and costs of homelessness. This study will report in the summer of 2006 and results will be published later this year.

Homelessness

Justine Greening: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate his Department has made of homelessness in (a) 200405, (b) 200506 and (c) 200607, in each London borough; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 9 February 2006
	Information collected quarterly on the number of decisions made by local authorities on applications for assistance under homelessness legislation, includes the number of households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need. Also reported is the number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation as at the end of each quarter. These figures at local authority, regional and national level are included in a supplementary table to the Statistical Release on homelessness, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister each quarter.
	Summary information is presented in the following table for each London borough for 200405 and for the first six months of 200506; results for the fourth quarter (October-December) 2005 will be published in a Statistical Release on 13 March.
	Estimates of the number of people who sleep rough, that is, those who are literally roofless on a single night, are also published by the Department and the estimates for 2005 are also presented in the table.
	The ODPM does not publish forecasts of homeless acceptances or the number of people sleeping rough at local authority level.
	
		Households accepted(58) as homeless during the year, households in temporary accommodation at the end of the period, and numbers of rough sleepers
		
			 London borough Households accepted during 200405 Households in TA(59) at 31 March 2005 Rough sleepers(60) (persons) 2004 Households accepted during April-September 2005 Households in TA(59) at 30 September 2005 Rough sleepers(60) (persons) 2005 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 775 474 0 210 477 0 
			 Barnet 758 2,334 0 n/a 2,418 0 
			 Bexley 430 377 0 123 388 0 
			 Brent 795 4,453 6 385 4,422 1 
			 Bromley n/a 451 0 361 974 0 
			 Camden 1,148 2,172 5 400 2,063 17 
			 City of London 31 34 22 12 26 12 
			 Croydon 1,126 3,346 0 361 3,018 0 
			 Ealing 789 2,221 4 383 2,340 1 
			 Enfield n/a n/a 0 467 3,258 0 
			 Greenwich 1,157 543 0 550 635 0 
			 Hackney 1,153 2,479 8 n/a 2,320 7 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 653 1,825 3 239 1,650 2 
			 Haringey 1,175 5,309 4 586 5,521 6 
			 Harrow 96 1,275 0 52 1,216 1 
			 Havering 200 814 0 154 966 1 
			 Hillingdon 461 1,878 0 219 1,732 3 
			 Hounslow 891 1,234 0 420 1,308 3 
			 Islington 1,130 1,550 1 n/a n/a 3 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 589 1,196 10 178 1,199 12 
			 Kingston upon Thames n/a n/a 0 122 745 0 
			 Lambeth 1,644 2,378 12 728 2,401 7 
			 Lewisham 1,245 1,847 0 626 1,742 3 
			 Merton 261 156 0 134 146 0 
			 Newham n/a 5,815 3 816 6,483 0 
			 Redbridge n/a n/a 0 317 2,641 0 
			 Richmond upon Thames 279 458 0 143 418 0 
			 Southwark 1,668 969 6 562 987 7 
			 Sutton 272 636 0 139 624 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,151 2,948 5 409 2,839 0 
			 Waltham Forest 800 1,807 1 404 1,890 2 
			 Wandsworth 840 1,593 0 345 1,519 0 
			 Westminster 1,112 3,148 175 555 3,250 133 
		
	
	(58) All households eligible under homelessness legislation, found to be unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category, and consequently owed a main homelessness duty, n/a denotes the authority failed to provide a return for one or more quarters of the year
	(59) Households in accommodation either pending a decision on their homelessness application or awaiting allocation of a settled home following acceptance. Excludes those households designated as homeless at home that have remained in their existing accommodation and have the same rights to suitable alternative accommodation as those in accommodation arranged by the authority.
	(60) Number of persons sleeping rough, based on local authority mid-year counts or estimates.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E Homelessness returns (quarterly) and HSSA returns (annual).

Homelessness

Sally Keeble: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when best practice guidance on managing homelessness will be produced by his Department.

Yvette Cooper: In addition to the guidance given to my hon. Friend on 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 2225W, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be publishing a Guide to Good Practice in Homelessness Prevention in the next three months.
	The guide will also be available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: www.odpm.gov.uk.

Homelessness (Eastern Region)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless acceptances there have been for each local authority in the Eastern Region in each of the last eight quarters.

Yvette Cooper: The following table presents information reported by each local authority in the East of England for the past eight quarters on the number of households under homelessness legislation which were accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and consequently owed a main homelessness duty. The number of acceptances in the region between October 2004 and September 2005 was 9,100, compared with 10,980 in the corresponding period 12 months before, a fall of 17 per cent.
	The duty owed by the local authority is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available. As an alternative to the provision of temporary accommodation some authorities arrange for households to remain in their current accommodation (homeless at home), until a settled solution becomes available.
	
		
			  Households accepted(61) as homeless by local authorities within the East of England Government office region Households accepted(61) as homeless by local authorities within the East of England Government office region 
			 Local authority October-December 2003 January-March 2004 April-June 2004 July-September 2004 October-December 2004 January-March 2005 April-June 2005 July-September 2005 
		
		
			 Babergh 17 15 22 21 21 13 16 15 
			 Basildon 75 70 41 67 63 87 71 62 
			 Bedford 80 80 82 86 76 58 104 76 
			 Braintree 104 93 95 101 72 95 83 63 
			 Breckland 62 53 55 76 43 43 34 14 
			 Brentwood 16 32 25 31 27 21 18 30 
			 Broadland 78 74 55 60 27 38 32 29 
			 Broxbourne 32 38 49 60 67 63 45 62 
			 Cambridge 73 54 40 62 55 47 48 57 
			 Castle Point 14 n/a 15 79 29 22 21 21 
			 Chelmsford 81 69 55 46 45 45 58 63 
			 Colchester 172 134 113 85 69 75 76 68 
			 Dacorum 29 34 24 25 26 24 33 24 
			 East Cambridgeshire 49 44 54 58 34 46 49 41 
			 East Hertfordshire 23 40 34 38 41 29 42 31 
			 Epping Forest 49 49 41 60 53 48 55 46 
			 Fenland 29 25 33 34 12 24 23 24 
			 Forest Heath 16 16 8 16 12 19 16 16 
			 Great Yarmouth 83 62 n/a 78 52 73 52 55 
			 Harlow 72 86 83 83 75 61 82 57 
			 Hertsmere 13 22 24 19 25 24 16 14 
			 Huntingdonshire 58 68 69 87 54 44 72 67 
			 Ipswich 51 71 82 105 68 76 47 51 
			 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk 69 102 125 113 114 132 121 85 
			 Luton 96 127 144 112 91 45 128 127 
			 Maldon 37 41 40 36 23 23 25 26 
			 Mid Bedfordshire 26 35 47 36 28 33 29 29 
			 Mid Suffolk 35 n/a 19 23 19 20 23 16 
			 North Hertfordshire 27 45 37 30 35 39 43 41 
			 North Norfolk 50 39 28 34 41 27 16 27 
			 Norwich 200 213 161 175 177 104 106 73 
			 Peterborough 105 126 143 121 104 72 103 108 
			 Rochford 16 9 5 12 16 13 15 11 
			 South Bedfordshire 68 85 91 76 65 65 69 65 
			 South Cambridgeshire 33 38 23 32 35 26 34 40 
			 South Norfolk 18 20 16 34 24 19 20 12 
			 Southend-on-Sea 64 n/a 58 76 48 54 56 53 
			 St. Albans 40 44 29 36 29 47 47 29 
			 St. Edmundsbury 41 36 44 47 62 35 56 31 
			 Stevenage 41 42 39 30 27 43 25 44 
			 Suffolk Coastal 41 31 38 41 21 36 30 20 
			 Tendring 86 83 65 87 69 75 65 67 
			 Three Rivers 21 26 14 30 23 23 18 26 
			 Thurrock 93 107 109 108 99 56 74 61 
			 Uttlesford 12 18 9 11 6 9 10 9 
			 Watford 45 22 27 34 37 39 35 20 
			 Waveney 42 69 94 87 46 38 52 44 
			 Welwyn Hatfield 75 67 91 100 76 91 96 61 
		
	
	(61) Households found to be eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category and, under 1996 Housing Act provisions, consequently owed a main homelessness duty.
	Note:
	Data shown as reported.
	n/a denotes an authority failed to provide a return for that particular quarter.

Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent on hospitality by his Department in each year since he became Deputy Prime Minister; and what proportion of that was spent on alcohol.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was created following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. The following table shows departmental expenditure on hospitality in the years 200203 to 200506.
	Hospitality expenditure in the Department is incurred when officials have provided meals/refreshments to ODPM stakeholders.
	
		
			  Hospitality () 
		
		
			 200203 15,492 
			 200304 38,802 
			 200405 42,126 
			 200506 spend to date 38,813 
		
	
	Expenditure on alcohol is not separately identified. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

Housing

Nick Hurd: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes have been built in each borough of Greater London under the Key Worker Living initiative; and how many of these are occupied.

Yvette Cooper: As at 31 January, 600 homes for key workers have been built in London through the Key Worker Living programme, of which 399 have been sold/let with a further 64 reserved. Of the 137 homes currently not occupied, 55 of these have been completed only in the last three months.
	
		
			 Local authority Units completed Units occupied Units reserved/under offer Total voids 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 16 16  0 
			 Brent 12 3  9 
			 Croydon 42 38 3 1 
			 Ealing 25 14 2 9 
			 Enfield 13 13  0 
			 Hackney 24 16 3 5 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 20 20  0 
			 Haringey 22 1 1 20 
			 Harrow 82 71 1 10 
			 Havering 65 56 7 2 
			 Hillingdon 40 26 5 9 
			 Hounslow 20 8  12 
			 Kingston upon Thames 9 4 1 4 
			 Lewisham 14 1 5 8 
			 Redbridge 56 27 4 25 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2 0 1 1 
			 Southwark 58 37 16 5 
			 Sutton 23 11 6 6 
			 Tower hamlets 12 1 2 9 
			 Waltham Forest 20 15 3 2 
			 Wandsworth 20 20  0 
			 Westminster 5 1 4 0 
			 Total 600 399 64 137

Housing

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the success of the attempts by the Regeneration Company in East Manchester to reverse housing market failure in the area.

Yvette Cooper: The New East Manchester (NEM) Urban Regeneration Company (URC) has an explicit role to co-ordinate and integrate regeneration activity across its area, including New Deal Communities and Housing Market Renewal. This has ensured that housing market renewal activity has not only been able to support the growing sub-regional economy but has also aligned with the provision of wider services and facilities which have greatly improved the quality of life of local residents.
	The improvement of the existing stock and the development of new high quality homes has extended the range and choice of housing for those living or looking to live in this area. The result has been the growth and stabilisation of a once failed housing marketconfidence has returned and prices have risen while numbers of empty homes have fallen significantly.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently evaluating the investment plans from Manchester Salford Housing Market Renewal Partnership to ensure this positive work continues. In addition, the activity of the URC is currently being evaluated by Professor Michael Parkinson of John Moores University.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what contribution he expects from (a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) arm's length management organisations in increasing the supply of social rented housing; and how many houses he expects to be built by each category of organisation.

Yvette Cooper: The Government set a target of providing 75,000 social rented homes from 200405 to 200708. Of these it is estimated around 3,000 will be provided through local authorities and at least 60,000 through registered social landlords. In addition, housing will be provided under the private finance initiative and by planning gain.
	When the Government responded to Kate Barker's review of housing supply on 5 December, it announced that social housing would be a priority in the next spending review (which covers the period after 200708) and that we would also be piloting new ways for local authorities to support the delivery of more council housing.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many council-owned homes (a) there were in each local authority in each year since 1997 and (b) are estimated to be held by each local authority in each of the next five years.

Yvette Cooper: A table containing the number of council-owned homes in each local authority in England, for 19972005, has been made available in the Library of the House. Estimates for the next five years are not available.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister in which housing authorities tenants have voted against transfer to (a) an arm's length organisation and (b) a registered social landlord; how many houses these votes affected; and what help these authorities will be given to reach the decent homes standard.

Yvette Cooper: The following tables show those local housing authorities in which tenants have, since 1988, voted against (a) establishing an arm's length management organisation (ALMO) to manage council housing, or (b) transferring social housing to a registered social landlord.
	The tables also show the number of dwellings covered by each ballot. Tenants in those transfers marked with a * have subsequently voted in favour of transfer.
	Local authorities in which tenants have voted against stock transfer or establishing an ALMO are receiving on-going support from the Government Office network and regional community housing task force advisers. Ninety-eight local authorities are able to reach the decent homes standard with the resources they already have received. All local authorities have received significant increases in resources for council housing over the last eight years.
	
		ALMO: Negative ballot
		
			 Local authority Units 
		
		
			 London borough of Camden 24,686 
		
	
	
		LSVT: Negative ballots
		
			 Local authority Units 
		
		
			 Arun 3,773 
			 Barnsley 24,832 
			 Berwick 3,443 
			 Birmingham 84,254 
			 Bournemouth 5,436 
			 Bradford Thorpe Edge* 500 
			 Brentwood 2,728 
			 Cambridge 8,283 
			 Canterbury 5,712 
			 Castle Point 1,659 
			 Cheltenham 5,342 
			 Cherwell* 4,112 
			 Dudley 27,271 
			 Ealing: Havelock 534 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston 5,500 
			 Fareham 2,683 
			 Fenland 4,180 
			 Hillingdon 11,816 
			 Islington, Tollington 1,314 
			 Kingston 5,138 
			 Lewisham 31,212 
			 Maidstone* 6,678 
			 Mendip* 4,326 
			 Merton 7,548 
			 Mid Bedfordshire* 3,148 
			 North Kesteven 4,209 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth 6,671 
			 Poole 4,859 
			 Royal borough of Kingston 5,010 
			 Redbridge 5,337 
			 Rochford 1,900 
			 Rother* 3,058 
			 South Holland 4,249 
			 Salisbury 5,704 
			 Sandwell 500 
			 Sedgefield borough council 9,583 
			 Sefton 11,162 
			 South Bedfordshire 5,710 
			 Southend-on-Sea 6,588 
			 Southwark: Aylesbury Estate 2,500 
			 St. Helens Wargrave* 500 
			 Stockport 12,883 
			 Stroud 5,429 
			 Thanet 3,460 
			 Three Rivers 4,180 
			 Torbay* 2,947 
			 Tower HamletsCityside 500 
			 Tower HamletsPoplar 500 
			 Tower Hamlets Barleymow 181 
			 Tower Hamlets Cranbrook 534 
			 Tower Hamlets Granby and Hereford 471 
			 Tower Hamlets Lincoln 312 
			 Tower Hamlets Longnor Norfolk Osier 539 
			 Tower Hamlets Stepney Green and Clichy 1,035 
			 Tower Hamlets Wapping 606 
			 Waverley 5,284 
			 Waverley 5,140 
			 West Lancashire 7,590 
			 West Somerset* 2,500 
			 Westminster 500 
			 Wokingham 2,988 
			 Wokingham 2,988 
			 Woodspring* 2,500 
			 Wycombe 6,956

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much council rents have changed on average in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The average council rent for England and the percentage annual increase is tabled as follows.
	
		
			   Average rent () Percentage increase over previous year 
		
		
			 2000 45.62  
			 2001 47.87 +4.93 
			 2002 49.93 +4.30 
			 2003 50.96 +2.06 
			 2004 52.62 +3.25 
			 2005 (provisional) 55.11 +4.73 
		
	
	Council rents are on average 40 per cent. of private sector rents.

Human Rights Act

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 on planning policy and planning decisions.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not undertaken such an assessment. The European Convention on Human Rights is an international agreement which has bound the UK since 1953 and which successive Governments have sought to comply with. It's effect, therefore, will have been taken into account by the bodies responsible for planning policy and decision taking well before the Human Rights Act was enacted.

Licensed Premises

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes the Government have made to planning use classes for premises selling alcohol since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: In January 2005, we changed the Use Classes Order, disaggregating the former single Food and Drink use class (A3) into three separate classes: restaurants and cafes (A3); drinking establishments (A4); and hot food takeaways (A5).
	Off-licences and other shops selling alcohol remain unchanged within the Al: Shops use class, and the classification for hotels remains as Cl: Hotels.
	Nightclubs were removed from the Use Classes Order and are therefore sui generic (of its own kind).

Local Area Agreements

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what requests by local authorities for freedoms under local area agreements have been rejected by (a) his Department and (b) the Government offices for the regions.

Phil Woolas: Local area agreement (LAA) freedoms and flexibilities are enabling measures to help overcome barriers to the delivery of LAA outcomes. Local areas and Government offices go through a process of informal negotiation on the possible need for such measures as part of the development of the area's LAA. Business cases for those that are to be taken forward formally are submitted to the appropriate Government Department. Information on those requests that have been agreed and denied to date is available online at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1163512. This will be updated shortly to reflect developments during the negotiation of the second round of LAAs.

Local Area Agreements

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have requested local area agreements; and how many of these requests have been agreed to.

Phil Woolas: In July 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced proposals to pilot nine Local Area Agreements; one in each of the English Regions. 74 Upper Tier authorities expressed an interest in becoming a pilot. As a result 21 pilots were launched in October 2004.
	In June 2005, the ODPM announced a national roll out of Local Area Agreements to all areas in England 2007. 66 local authorities were selected from the 99 areas who wished to develop a Local Area Agreement in 200506.
	The remaining 63 areas that have yet to develop a Local Area Agreement will be eligible to develop one in April 2006, with the agreements coming into effect in April 2007.

Local Authorities (Hertfordshire)

David Gauke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on proposals to reorganise local authorities in Hertfordshire.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no proposals to reorganise local authorities in Hertfordshire. The ODPM is however engaging in a wide debate about local governance, including the future of two-tier arrangements in the shire areas.

Local Government (Greater Manchester)

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to consult on the restoration of a strategic city-wide tier of local government for Greater Manchester.

Phil Woolas: My right hon. Friend the Minister of Communities and Local Government (Mr. Miliband) and other Ministers visited Manchester (including representatives from Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) as part of a series of Core City Summits during autumn of last year. Following these, the core cities have been developing business cases, setting out their vision and challenges alongside their case for change to address barriers and enablers to economic growth for their city-region.
	The core cities are due to present their business cases to my right hon. Friend (Mr. Miliband) from late March 2006 and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will respond to these in due course.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes the Valuation Office Agency has made to the valuation of wind turbines for business rates purposes since 2000.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency undertakes valuations of wind turbines for rating purposes in accordance with the relevant legislation. Wind turbines occupied separately from other types of property were valued in accordance with The Electricity Supply Industry (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000 [SI 2000/947] and the Electricity Supply Industry (Rateable Values) (Wales) Order 2000 [SI 2000/1163] for the rating lists effective to 31 March 2005. From 1 April 2005 such wind turbines are valued in accordance with paragraph 2 to Schedule 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
	There has been no change, other than the change of valuation date arising from the general Revaluation in 2005, to the valuation of wind turbines forming part only of property the primary function of which was not the generation of electricity.

Local Government Finance

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department operates a mechanism by which council tax exemption thresholds are adjusted annually.

Phil Woolas: Under the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992 (as amended) there are various classes of dwellings, such as dwellings where occupation is prohibited by law or dwellings occupied only by students, on which no council tax is payable because they are exempt. None of the exemptions are subject to thresholds.
	A full council tax bill assumes that there are at least two adults living in a dwelling. Where there is only one adult living in the dwelling the overall bill is reduced by 25 per cent. Certain people are disregarded for the purposes of calculating the household's bill. In the case of apprentices and some carers, the disregard is in part dependent on their earning less than a prescribed level of income. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will shortly be consulting on whether these limits should be increased and, if so, by how much.
	Council tax benefit, which is the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions, is available to those on a low income and may meet up to 100 per cent. of council tax costs.

Local Government Finance

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid in business rates in Gravesham in each year since 199697; and how much was received by Gravesham Borough Council from the central rate pool.

Phil Woolas: The amounts Gravesham collected in business rates and the amounts they received back from the central pool from 199798 to 200405 are set out in the table. Unfortunately this information is not readily available for 199697.
	
		National Non-Domestic Business Rates (NNDR)
		
			  Gravesham Collected by the authority () Received from the NNDR pool () 
		
		
			 199798 14,992,485 2,933,949 
			 199899 14,543,192 2,940,869 
			 19992000 15,350,069 3,147,309 
			 200001 14,826,515 3,496,203 
			 200102 14,657,712 3,454,169 
			 200203 15,875,065 3,868,547 
			 200304 15,778,104 3,341,817 
			 200405 16,139,276 2,618,788

Local Government Restructuring

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the presentation made by officials in his Department to chief executives of local authorities on proposed consultations on restructuring local government.

Phil Woolas: Copies of the presentation have been provided to all chief executives who have attended meetings. A copy of the presentation has been sent to the hon. Member. A copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.

Local Government Restructuring

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when new plans for local government organisation will be published.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has taken no decisions about whether there should be any reorganisation of the structure of local government. The ODPM is currently engaged in a wide ranging debate about local governance, including the future of two-tier arrangements in the shire areas. We intend to finalise our position around the middle of the year at about the same time as the publication of the proposed White Paper.

Local Government Restructuring

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's policy is on retaining two-tier council areas.

Phil Woolas: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1961W. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has taken no decisions about whether there should be any reorganisation of the structure of local Government.

Lyons Inquiry

David Burrowes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he made of the merits of appointing a Royal Commission to examine the issues considered by the Lyons Inquiry.

Phil Woolas: Following the report of the Balance of Funding Review in July 2004, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor agreed that Sir Michael Lyons should carry out an independent inquiry into local government funding to make the council tax system fairer and more sustainable. In setting up the inquiry, the Government recognised that Sir Michael was very widely respected and brought a wealth of local government and other experience to the task. In September 2005, it was agreed that his remit should be extended to consider issues of role and function before the finalisation of conclusions on funding. The Government will decide the way forward in the light of Sir Michael's final report, which he will produce at the end of 2006.

Major Hazard Sites

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to change planning (a) guidelines and (b) regulations in relation to major hazard sites following the Hemel Hempstead fuel depot incident.

Yvette Cooper: The Health and Safety Commission has formally asked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency to investigate the incident at the Buncefield oil depot. The investigation is being overseen by an independent board, chaired by the right hon. Lord Newton of Braintree, which will report to the Health and Safety Commission.
	The terms of reference for the investigation are wide-ranging. The report on the investigation will make recommendations for future action to ensure the effective management and regulation of major accident risks at sites such as Buncefield. This should include consideration of offsite as well as onsite risks and consider prevention of incidents, preparations for response to incidents and mitigation of their effects.
	Investigation work has begun and its initial findings on the causes of the incident will be made public as soon as possible. Once this information is available the Government will examine it very thoroughly to see what lessons are to be drawn from this incident. Until the causes of the incident are established it would be premature to comment.

Milton Keynes Bowl

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the stadium facility to be built at Elfield Park is expected to be used in conjunction with the Milton Keynes Bowl facility.

Yvette Cooper: The stadium facility at Elfield Park is subject to separate consideration to any proposals for the Milton Keynes Bowl facility. The eventual use of the two facilities will be a matter for Milton Keynes Partnership, the local planning authority, if required, and their eventual operators.

Milton Keynes Bowl

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how long a lease has been awarded to Gaming International Ltd. by English Partnerships for the use of the Milton Keynes Bowl; and what conditions have been attached to the development agreement for the development of the Milton Keynes Bowl.

Yvette Cooper: This is currently a commercially confidential matter between the preferred bidder for the site and English Partnerships. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's approval is required, if Milton Keynes Partnership wishes to bring its interest in the site to an end, to date no application has been made for such an approval.

Mobile Telephone Masts

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what power his Department has granted since 1997 to local authorities to refuse applications by mobile telephone companies to erect telephone masts; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: All ground based masts are subject to planning control so that if the local authority considers that the development will pose a serious threat to amenity, it is able to refuse approval. For masts over 15 metres in height a full planning application is required. For masts under 15 metres in height a prior approval application is required.
	Since 1997, the Government have strengthened the prior approval arrangements twice. Local planning authorities can decline a mast on planning grounds in prior approval applications in the same way as a normal planning application so long as they act within eight weeks. Eight weeks is also the performance target for dealing with most planning applications for telecommunications developments.

Mobile Telephone Masts

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many applications there have been to construct mobile telephone masts in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Tamworth constituency in each year since 2000; how many of these applications have been (i) granted and (ii) refused; and what the reason for refusal was in each case;
	(2)  how many new mobile telephone masts have been erected under permitted development rights in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Tamworth constituency in each of the last 48 months for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, during September and October every year the mobile network operators write to every local authority with details of their network rollout for the year ahead. When they write to the local authority they also provide details of their existing sites within the local authority area. You may want to contact the network operators for copies of their plans.

Neighbourhood Call to Action

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the Minister for Communities and Local Government's proposal for a neighbourhood call to action will operate; and what the timetable is for its introduction.

Phil Woolas: The Government's community call for action has recently been set out in the Police and Justice Reform Bill.
	The discussion document Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter which was jointly published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Office on 31 January 2005, set out ideas about mechanisms through which neighbourhoods might act. These ideas will form part of a White Paper later this year.

Park-and-Ride Schemes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many park-and-ride schemes have been built on green belt sites since the revision of Planning Policy Guidance 3 in 2000;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of park-and-ride sites built on green belt locations since the revision of Policy Planning Guidance 3 in 2000.

Yvette Cooper: The Government do not collect information on the location of park-and-ride schemes.

Parking

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes the Government has made to guidance to local planning authorities on (a) parking spaces, (b) parking charges and (c) parking fines since May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: PPG 13 Transport (2001) advises local planning authorities on maximum parking standards for new development for certain non residential land uses, and PPG3 Housing (2000) gives similar advice in respect of residential parking. Parking charges and parking penalty charges are a matter for local traffic authorities rather than local planning authorities. Parking fines are a matter for the police.

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of his Office and its predecessors.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual Departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme37 billion
	deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing12.7 billion
	current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants34.4 billion
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.

Peterborough City Market

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to assist local markets to remain in operation, with particular reference to Peterborough city market; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Government policy is supportive of local markets. For example, paragraph 2.27 of Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning For Town Centres recognises the valuable contribution they can make to local choice and diversity in shopping as well as the vitality of town centres and to the rural economy.
	Assistance to specific local markets (such as Peterborough's) is primarily a matter for the individual local councils concerned.

Planning Applications

Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of planning applications were (a) refused, (b) appealed and (c) granted an appeal in each local authority in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The information is published annually in table 2.3 of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Development Control Statistics, England. Copies are also available in the Library of the House (except the electronic-only editions from 200203) and all are available on the ODPM website. The full series is accessible from: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1161426.
	For 19992000 to 200304 the tables are found under the sub-heading list of tables. The 200405 edition will be completed shortly.

Planning Applications

Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the costs to each local authority were as a consequence of refusing planning applications that were subsequently granted on appeal in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The costs to a local authority of losing an appeal which it would not have had to respond to if it had allowed the application in the first place could only be calculated by the local authority. Therefore, the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Planning Inspectorate do not record individual costs awards against each local authority but they do record and publish summary statistics. In 200405 there were 338 awards against local planning authorities in England out of a total of 1,337 costs decisions. 37 per cent. of appellants that made an application for an award of costs were successful compared to 51 per cent. of local planning authority applications.

Planning Decisions

Anne Milton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of local authority decisions were overturned by the Planning Inspectorate in each of the past five years.

Yvette Cooper: The following table shows the total number of planning appeals in England determined by the Planning Inspectorate for the calendar years 2001 to 2005 together with the number allowed and percentage of appeals allowed.
	
		
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Total decided 14,033 13,784 18,021 16,307 21,830 
			 Total allowed 5,022 5,110 6,013 5,404 7,122 
			 Allowed (Percentage) 36 37 33 33 33

Planning Guidance

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) date and (b) subject matter was of each of his Department's (i) circulars and (ii) statements on planning and climate change policy sent to local and regional planning authorities in (A) 2003, (B) 2004 and (C) 2005.

Yvette Cooper: Climate change considerations are among the matters dealt with in a number of recent Planning Policy Statements in England. These include the following.
	
		
			  PPS Subject 
		
		
			 2005 PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development 
			 2005 PPS9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation 
			 2005 PPS25 (draft) Development and Flood Risk (at consultation) 
			 2004 PPS11 Regional Spatial Strategies 
			 2004 PPS12 Local Development Frameworks 
			 2004 PPS22 Renewable Energy 
		
	
	In addition, in 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, together with the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government published for the information of planners and local authorities in Great Britain an overview of current thinking and the state of knowledge in the subject. This overview, The Planning Response to Climate ChangeAdvice on Better Practice, had been prepared by CAG Consultants of London and Oxford Brookes university.

Population Projections

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the projected increases in the population of England upon demand for housing.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 13 February 2006
	Interim 2002 based projections of additional households up to 2021 are published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website (http://www.odpm.gov.uk/embeddedobject.asp?id=l156104). These show the number of additional households projected to form on the basis of the 2002 based population projections. For England about 190,000 additional households per year are projected between 2001 and 2021.

Regeneration Projects (Doncaster)

Edward Miliband: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Department on regeneration projects in the constituency of Doncaster North in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Listed as follows are the two strands of funding from ERF Objective 1 and the RDA.
	Objective 1
	Since 2000, Objective 1 South Yorkshire has invested almost 700 million in the South Yorkshire region, almost 80 per cent. of which has related to South Yorkshire-wide projects for the benefit of all local authority districts and people in the sub-region. This has resulted in the creation of over 17,000 jobs, support to over 7,000 existing businesses and the provision of skills and learning opportunities to over 150,000 people in the area.
	Some small aspects of the programme are targeted on particular communities. In this respect, Doncaster is expected to receive something in the region of 12 million of European funds between 2000 and 2008 which will be matched by national funding programmes, making a total investment of around 25 million. We would estimate that around half of this will relate specifically to communities in the north of the borough, including areas such as, Highfields, Bentley, Thorne and Moorends and Stainforth.
	In addition Doncaster has received 3.7 million (3.3 million capital/400,000 revenue) from the Liveability Fund during the period 200304 to 200506 ESF funding:
	RDA
	Yorkshire Forwards spend for ODPM funding on regeneration type projects in Doncaster North is as follows.
	This is split as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Years to 2001 (62)37,198,223 
			 2002 16,503,196 
			 2003 27,291,586 
			 2004 21,304,560 
			 2005 25,872,163 
			 2006 (63)10,236,488 
		
	
	(62) This figure is funding from 1997 and includes legacy work inherited from the GO prior to the establishment of the RDAs in 1999.
	(63) Forecast.
	Of the total 138,406,219, 77,930,220 relates to SRB SY Coalfield Rounds 5/6.

Regional Assemblies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what means regional assemblies in England are accountable to Government for the performance of their designated activities.

Yvette Cooper: Regional assemblies are required, prior to approval of central Government grant, to agree business plans setting out key activities supported by grant. Before individual grant payments are approved assemblies are required to submit a report on progress in the preceding claim period.

Regional Planning Authorities

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated annual cost will be of the proposed new national advice unit to assist regional planning authorities.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made provisions to cover estimated initial annual running costs of approximately 1 million. Final costs will, of course, be dependent on the precise size of the unit and its location.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to promote the take-up of positive planning for renewables policies among local planning authorities.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's national polices on planning for renewable energy in England are set out in Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (PPS22). PPS22 says that local development documents should contain policies designed to promote and encourage the development of renewable energy resources. Further advice on the framing of such policies, together with practical advice as to how these policies can be implemented on the ground, are included in the Companion Guide to PPS22.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the contribution that local authority positive planning for renewable energy policies could make to delivering future carbon emission and renewables targets.

Yvette Cooper: No formal assessment has been made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. However the Government's Energy White Paper, published in February 2003, made it clear that renewable energy will play a part in delivering carbon emission targets. PPS22, published in August 2004, implements the policies in the Energy White Paper by ensuring that local authorities include policies in their plans that promote and encourage the development on renewable energy resources.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he intends the energy efficiency requirements for level 1 of the Code for Sustainable Homes to be set higher than Part L of the Building Regulations.

Yvette Cooper: The code is still out for consultation and final decisions on the scope and scoring levels have yet to be made.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to require the greater use of micro renewable energy systems in the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Yvette Cooper: Level 5 of the proposed code already requires a home to be carbon neutral, which pushes designers into considering micro-generation. However, the code is still out for consultation so we will look further at micro-generation as part of the consideration of consultation responses.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice his Department issues to (a) Government offices and (b) its inspectors on the desirability of local authorities adopting positive planning for renewable energy policies.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's national policies on planning for renewable energy in England are set out in Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (PPS22). PPS22 says that local development documents should contain policies designed to promote and encourage the development of renewable energy resources. The policy guidance in PPS22 is applied by Government Offices when scrutinising and commenting on policies in emerging regional spatial strategies and local development documents. Planning inspectors will have regard to the policies in PPS22 when undertaking public examination of development plans, in determining planning cases and when advising the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from (a) commercial developers and (b) housing developers on the feasibility of local authority positive planning for renewables policies.

Yvette Cooper: None.

Respect Unit

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department has provided (a) staff and (b) funding to the Home Office's Respect Unit.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A member of staff from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently on loan to the Respect Unit. The ODPM has not made any payment directly to the Home Office for the Respect Unit's functions. However, the ODPM is making a very significant contribution to the aims of the Respect agenda through a number of key programmes, involving more than 2 billion of expenditure over the next three years.

Right-to-buy Scheme

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many council houses have been sold under the right-to-buy scheme in each London borough since 1990.

Yvette Cooper: Information on the number of council houses that have been sold under the right-to-buy scheme in each London borough, as reported by local authorities can by found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/373/Table4StatisticsonRighttoBuyandothercouncil housesalesExcel242Kb_id1156373.xls.

School Fires

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many schools fires occurred which were large enough to need action by local fire brigades in each year since 1996.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the number of school fires attended by the fire and rescue service in England since 1996.
	
		
			  Number of school fires 
		
		
			 1996 1,532 
			 1997 1,314 
			 1998 1,157 
			 1999 1,331 
			 2000 1,194 
			 2001 1,453 
			 2002(64) 1,297 
			 2003(64) 1,359 
			 2004 1,229 
		
	
	(64) Including estimates for incidents not recorded during periods of industrial action in 2002 and 2003.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service FDR1 returns to ODPM.

Seaton Pool

Gary Streeter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of whether the impending closure of Seaton Pool in Plymouth is in keeping with government policies on health and obesity.

Phil Woolas: The decision to close Seaton Pool was taken by Plymouth city council and is a matter for them. We understand the council has given assurances that users of the pool will have access to alternative facilities.

South-east Plan

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of the infrastructure needed to support its (a) communities plan and (b) regional house building targets for the South East.

Yvette Cooper: Government remains strongly committed to the principle that infrastructure must be sufficient to support growth and is an essential element in achieving more sustainable communities. We also believe that the alignment of infrastructure and growth is the outcome of good planning, and for this reason both the infrastructure requirements stemming from the Sustainable Communities Plan and the level and distribution of housing growth in the South East are a matter for scrutiny and discussion as part of the development of regional spatial strategies (RSS). The responsibility for drafting regional spatial strategies rests with regional planning bodies.
	In the South East, the South East of England Regional Assembly is currently drafting the new South East plan, and expects to submit the remainder to Government at the end of March 2006. We expect this draft will provide a view on infrastructure requirements. Thereafter the plan will be subject of public consultation and also testing by an independent Panel, to enable Government to reach conclusions about the amount of housing required in the South East.

Stakeholder Perceptions Report

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the MORI research study on his Department's Stakeholder Perceptions (Final Report).

Jim Fitzpatrick: MORI were commissioned to undertake two stakeholder perception Surveys for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2003 and 2005. Arrangements are being made to make available copies of the Final Reports of each Survey in the Library of the House.
	MORI have stated in the findings of the 2005 survey that there has been real progress in the way internal and external stakeholders perceive the ODPM since 2003. More people are advocates of the Office and more people now regard it favourably. However, we recognise that challenges remain. We take very seriously the views of our stakeholders and we have put in place robust measures to address the concerns highlighted and improve our engagement with our stakeholders still further.

Sustainable Buildings

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the withdrawal by the Worldwide Fund for Nature from the Senior Steering Group for the Code for Sustainable Buildings.

Yvette Cooper: It was unfortunate that the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) withdrew from the Senior Steering Group for the Code for Sustainable Homes when they did, as WWF met with officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss, among other things, the details of the code which is now under consultation.

Sustainable Communities

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what mechanisms he has put in place to communicate his policy on sustainable communities to other Government Departments; and what further steps he plans to take.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In delivering the ambitious vision set out in the Sustainable Communities Plan it has been critical to develop a close working partnership and clear lines of communication with other Government Departments. A number of on-going formal mechanisms exist including the Housing and Planning sub-committee of Cabinet, Housing and Planning (officials) group to support the sub-committee and an Inter-departmental Officials Group on Sustainable Communities. From time to time specific project committees are established to support priority policies for example the Barker Steering group included representation from HMT and Cabinet Office.

Sustainable Communities

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer to Q53 in evidence to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and Regions Committee of 7 February 2006, what the evidential basis was for his statement (a) that architects, planners and local authorities do not talk to the Highways Agency and (b) that none of the professional bodies assesses issues in the context of sustainability.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There is a body of research, carried out over the past few years, that has highlighted how the lack of communication and partnerships between the stakeholders involved in the delivery of sustainable communities can result in poor urban environments. Key conclusions have emphasised that each party often sees their role in isolation rather than contributing to the delivery of sustainable communities. Examples of research, both directly commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and that from independent bodies, include Paving the way (ODPM and Cabe) 2002; Better Streets, Better Places (ODPM and DfT) 2003; and Egan Review of Skills (ODPM) 2004.
	The Government, through the new Academy for Sustainable Communities, aims to address this weakness by working with key stakeholders, including professional bodies, to improve the processes and skill base ensuring that all parties are working together to support the development of sustainable communities.
	In addition ODPM are also asking our delivery agencies and partners to ensure that they bring together these different disciplines so that for example the Highways Agency is represented on or has close links to the Growth areas local delivery bodies.

Swindon Borough Council

Michael Wills: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to encourage senior representatives of Swindon Borough Council to hold regular public meetings to promote local dialogue on measures taken to address anti-social behaviour.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Respect programme sets out the Government's intention to empower local communities to challenge and tackle antisocial behaviour through greater awareness of the powers available to them.
	We will ensure effective dialogue between local people and services by introducing regular and systematic face the people briefing sessions, involving senior representation from the police and local authorities.
	These sessions will provide an opportunity for communities to make clear their priorities and to hold those responsible for service delivery to account. They will also allow senior staff to engage the community in tackling local problemsincluding raising issues where they can take action to help combat antisocial behaviour.
	We are also committed to rolling out neighbourhood policing nationwidegiving local people a greater say in how their area is policed and to introducing the 'community call for action' so that communities have a formal mechanism to hold service providers to account where delivery falls short of expected standards.

Telecommunications Masts

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has made changes to Planning Policy Guidance 8 relating to health concerns about mobile telephone masts since November 2003.

Yvette Cooper: The office has not made any changes to Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 since it was published in August 2001.

Thames Gateway

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local planning authorities within the Thames Gateway have champions for the historic environment appointed within their management structures.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	English Heritage staff will, however, be joining the Thames Gateway Delivery Office in London Docklands shortly.

Thames Gateway

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether all new power lines in the Thames Gateway are planned to be undergrounded.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not been made aware of any proposals for new power lines in the Thames Gateway.
	Plans are under way to underground the existing power lines in the Olympic Park area.
	The ODPM is in discussion with National Grid and EOF about the costs and benefits of undergrounding existing power lines in several of the other key development locations in the Gateway.

Town and Country Planning Act

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the operation of (a) Schedule 1 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, (b) the Town and Country Planning Appeals (Determination by Inspectors) (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 2000, (c) the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) Regulations 2000 and (d) the Town and Country Planning (Hearings Procedure) (England) (Rules) 2000.

Yvette Cooper: The information is as follows.
	(a) Section 1 of and Schedule 1 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 dealt with the licensing of public entertainment outside Greater London. The provisions were repealed by Schedule 6 to the Licensing Act 2003.
	(b), (c), (d) These rules and regulations are part of a package of measures providing a useful framework to various planning and related appeals procedures. Their main purpose is to ensure that all the information, evidence and submissions needed to make a fully informed and timely appeal decision can be assembled in an orderly fashion to enable the appeal proceedings to operate smoothly. While they are generally operating satisfactorily, we are not complacent. There is still some room for further improvement, such as in complying with timetables for the production of proofs of evidence for inquiries and statements of common ground between the main parties and in providing realistic estimates of the time likely to be required to make submissions and the number of witnesses to be called. However, where a party fails to adhere to the timetables, there is power to disregard late representations. Moreover, if that failure is unreasonable and leads to another party incurring unnecessary expense, the power to award costs also provides an effective discipline in the case of hearings and inquiries. For its part, the Planning Inspectorate is actively managing improvements to its own performance in arranging hearing and inquiry dates in the face of a continuing high level and variety of casework which places conflicting demands on the available inspector resource.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 588W, on council tax revaluation, if he will list the working groups and committees that operated to prepare for the council tax revaluation in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Phil Woolas: The working groups and committees within the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) that operated to prepare for the council tax revaluations were set up in accordance with recognised programme management methodology. Thus for the revaluation in England a programme board oversaw the work of five constituent projects, each having its own project board. The projects covered data; valuations; inquiries, appeals and list maintenance; resources; and information technology. For the revaluation in Wales, there was a single project and project board dealing with all aspects.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate (a) his Department and (b) the Valuation Office Agency made of the average (i) council tax bill and (ii) business rates bill of an average composite hereditament in the last year for which estimates are available.

Phil Woolas: None.

Women's Shelter (Atcham)

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will encourage Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council to provide a shelter for homeless women.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's aim is to tackle homelessness more effectively and has provided over 200 million to support local authorities' prevention strategies. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is providing practical assistance for authorities in delivering these strategies whose purpose is to ensure that accommodation and support are available for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It is therefore a matter for Shrewsbury and Atcham to decide on the provision of a shelter for homeless women in the area.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of British tourists that have visited Burma in each of the past three years.

James Purnell: Estimates of the numbers of British visitors to Burma, for the three most recent years for which there are available statistics, are as follows:
	
		
			  Number of British visitors 
		
		
			 2002 2,400 
			 2003 3,100 
			 2004 1,900 
		
	
	These estimates are based on data from the Office of National Statistics' International Passenger Survey. They include visits for all purposes; there is no available data for tourist visits only.

Casinos

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with Abbeygate Developments about the possibility of building a casino in Milton Keynes.

Richard Caborn: None.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the target level of employment expressed as full-time equivalents in her Department by April 2008, in order to meet her Department's civil service work force reductions target set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's baseline headcount figure at April 2004 was 506 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. The Department has a target to reduce headcount by 27 FTE staff by April 2008, benchmarked against those activities that the Department undertook as at April 2004. However, in the light of changes to the Department's responsibilities (notably the fact that London has now won the right to stage the Olympic Games in 2012), the figure is currently being revisited. Until this is resolved it will not be possible to give a target level of employment for April 2008.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what interim targets she has set for achieving (a) the agreed efficiency target for her Department and (b) the civil service work force reductions targets for (i) gross reductions in posts, (ii) net reductions in posts and (iii) relocations for her Department, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review; what the baseline figures are against which these interim targets are assessed; on what dates they will take effect; and by what dates these interim targets are intended to be met.

Richard Caborn: The great majority of the Department's spending is channelled through its NDPBs. Details of their expected efficiency savings are set out in the answer to PQ52919. The Department has a target to save 2.5 per cent. of its administrative spending, as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  Admin spend Efficiency gain 
		
		
			 200405(65) 49 0 
			 200506 49 0 
			 200607 48 1 
			 200708 47 2 
		
	
	(65) Baseline.
	DCMS has a target to reduce its headcount by 27 by 2008, benchmarked against the number of staff and level of activities as carried out at April 2004. It is intended that these reductions will take place in three equal tranches as part of the natural turnover of staff.
	DCMS NDPBs have a target to relocate 600 posts outside London and the South East by 2010. Plans to relocate over 900 posts are currently being developed. The relocation of a total 560 posts from the Big Lottery Fund (300 posts to Birmingham and Newcastle, planned completion June 2006) and the Gambling Commission (260 posts to Birmingham, planned completion September 2007) has already been announced.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the civil service work force reductions targets for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the review.

Richard Caborn: The Department's SR04 target was to reduce its headcount by 27 full time equivalent posts by March 2008. In a full year, this will equate to just over 1 million. The financial savings secured from this reduction will count towards the agreed efficiency target for the Department.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent.

Richard Caborn: At least 131 million, or 50 per cent. of the Department's efficiency target is to be cashable, with efficiency savings being reinvested in frontline services. It is for NDPBs and local authorities to decide which of their frontline services they will spend their cashable efficiency savings on. The Department is responsible for over 50 NDPBs which operate in a number of sectors. Accordingly, savings will be recycled into a wide variety of activities.

Civil Service (Workforce Reductions)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what total efficiency savings were achieved by her Department in 200405; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Richard Caborn: 28.5 million of efficiency savings were achieved in 200405, which will count towards the Department's agreed efficiency target set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Consultants/Special Advisers

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 1094, on consultants/special advisors, if she will place in the Library a copy of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on London 2012 costs and benefits; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: I am placing copies of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on London 2012 costs and benefits (the full title of which is Olympics Bid London 2012Probability Assessment for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, dated 13 January 2003) in the Libraries of both Houses.
	PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned by the Department to provide an assessment based on the probabilities of the risks and uncertainties involved in a bid to hold the Olympic games and Paralympic games in London in 2012. The report was produced in January 2003 and formed part of the early preparation work on the bid. Many of the figures included in the report are now out of date or have been overtaken by events.

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many job advertisements were placed by her Department (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what (i) total and (ii) average cost in each case.

Richard Caborn: Information on the numbers of external adverts since 200102 is shown in the table. Data for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Adverts that are placed in print in newspapers and magazines are also placed simultaneously on the DCMS website.
	
		Number of external adverts, 200102 to 200405
		
			   (a) Total (b) Print newspapers and magazines 
		
		
			 200102 9 9 
			 200203 13 13 
			 200304 12 12 
			 200405 12 12 
		
	
	The cost of advertisements in newspapers and magazines cannot easily be separated from other recruitment costs such as executive search firms who provide recruitment services and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staffing

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were employed by (a) the Royal Parks Agency and (b) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in each of the last 12 months for which data is available; and how many and what percentage of posts were vacant in each month.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to table A of the annual publication Civil Service Statistics which provides staff numbers in my Department and its agency. Civil service statistics are available in the House Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office statistics website: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/index.asp.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Royal Parks Agency hold no data on vacant posts; each business unit has freedom at any time to create or cut individual jobs to meet its needs provided it does not exceed its headcount or budget allocation.

Departmental Staffing

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether any (a) employee of her Department, (b) person engaged by her Department as a consultant and (c) paid adviser to her Department is a member of the House of Lords; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: No Member of the House of Lords is currently employed, engaged as a consultant or paid as an advisor by this Department.

Departmental Staffing

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many full-time staff are employed (a) by her Department and (b) by each of its executive agencies.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to table A of the annual publication Civil Service Statistics which provides staff numbers in my department and its agency. Civil service statistics are available in the House Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/index.asp

Departmental Website

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the cost of (a) creating the Department's website and (b) maintaining it in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The main DCMS website, www.culture.gov.uk, was redeveloped in 2000 at a cost of 81,134.
	(b) Maintenance costs for the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 2001 5,000 
			 2002 5,000 
			 2003 (66)20,000 
			 2004 20,000 
			 2005 (67)47,000 
		
	
	(66) includes hosting for 5 websites
	(67) includes hosting for 17 websites
	The rise in maintenance costs from 2003 and 2005 are due to the increase in the number of websites my department manages. In 2005 my department spent a further 22,000 developing the accessibility of the main website for people with disabilities and creating online forms.

Efficiency Gains

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the efficiency gains intended to be achieved through working with (a) her Department's sponsored bodies, (b) local authorities, (c) the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (d) the Improvement and Development Agency; what baseline figures she is using for assessing progress on achieving these gains; what progress has been made towards these gains to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved from these gains are to date.

Richard Caborn: The following table lists the Department's efficiency gains that are intended to be achieved through its sponsored bodies and local authorities, and gains made to date. The sponsored bodies report on progress towards efficiency gains against a baseline of 1.49 billion. Local authorities are expected to calculate their baselines in accordance with Annex 2 of the Local Government Efficiency Technical Note produced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It is for local authorities to decide how they make their efficiency savings and what proportion of savings is made in the culture and leisure sectors.
	
		
			   Targets 
			 Sector Actual gains (at 30 September 2005)(68) 200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 NDPBs 34.2 36 76 113 
			 Local authorities 28.5 49 98 146 
		
	
	(68) Data on actual gains is interim until the Department receives the 200506 end-of-year data reports from NDPBs and the Backward Look Annual Efficiency Statements from local authorities.

Efficiency Gains

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what baseline figures she is using for assessing progress on her Department's targets to (a) cut her Department's administration costs, (b) rationalise back office functions, (c) rationalise accommodation of sponsored bodies, (d) share specialist services and (e) facilitate annual efficiency gains within local government expenditure on culture and leisure services; what progress has been made towards these targets to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved to date are for these targets.

Richard Caborn: The Department's target for 200506 is to retain administrative spending at the level of 200405, with spending being reduced in subsequent years by 1 million in 200607, and 2 million in 200708. The Department is on track to meet its target for the year. The Department has not been set separate targets for back office savings, and baseline data is therefore not available.
	NDPBs and local authorities have been given discretion as to how they meet their efficiency targets. Information is therefore not collected in accordance with the categories outlined in the question. NDPBs have all submitted efficiency delivery plans to the Department, which have been scrutinised to ensure that only genuine efficiencies have been included. Local authorities submit Annual Efficiency Statements that set out how they propose to make their efficiency gains. Interim data returns suggest that as at 30 September 2005, NDPBs and local authorities had achieved efficiency gains of 62.7 million, against a target for 200506 of 87 million.

Freeview

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what areas of Northern Ireland are unable to receive Freeview.

James Purnell: holding answer 16 February 2006
	Digital Terrestrial Television is currently available to households in Northern Ireland receiving their TV signals from the main transmitters Divis, Limavady and Brougher Mountain. Digital Switchover will enable digital terrestrial coverage to match the current analogue level.

Gershon Targets

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress her Department has made in meeting its efficiency targets set out in the Gershon Review.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is on track to meet its efficiency targets. Latest interim data returns indicate that the Department had delivered 62.7 million of efficiency gains by 30 September 2005. The Department has reduced its headcount by 10 posts in relation to the work it undertook at April 2004 but this has been offset by increased posts needed to cope with additional work associated with the 2012 Olympic Games. A change in the headcount target to reflect the increased workload has yet to be finalised.

Historical Wrecks

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the names are of those on her working groups for the Designation of Historical Wrecks and the Salvage of Wrecks; and which organisation each Member represents.

David Lammy: The information requested is as follows:
	
		The Members of the Salvage and Reporting Working Group are:
		
			 Member Organisation 
		
		
			 Tom Hassail Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites 
			 Lizzie West Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			 Sophia Exelby Maritime and Coastguard Agency 
			 Patrick Griggs Retired Member of British Maritime Law  Association 
			 Michael Laurie BMT Salvage 
			 Alan Saville National Museums of Scotland 
			 Dr. Carolyn Heeps The Crown Estate 
			 Jan Gladysz Department for Transport 
			 Robert Yorke Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee 
			 David Gaimster Society of Antiquaries of London 
			 Mike Palmer Site Licensee 
			 Ian Oxley English Heritage 
			 Dr Roger Bland Portable Antiquities Scheme 
			 Jim Spooner Department for Transport 
			 Michael Williams University of Wolverhampton 
			 Laura Warren Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
		
	
	
		The Members of the Designation and Definitions Working Group are:
		
			 Member Organisation 
		
		
			 Gordon Barclay Historic Scotland 
			 Lizzie West Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			 Dr. Colin Breen University of Ulster 
			 Laura Forster Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			 Robin Daniels Association of Local Government Archaeological  Officers 
			 Sophia Exelby Maritime and Coastguard Agency 
			 Antony Firth Wessex Archaeology 
			 Dr. Carolyn Heeps The Crown Estate 
			 Paul Jeffrey English Heritage 
			 Claudia Kenyatta Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			 Peter McDonald Ministry of Defence 
			 Emily Musson Department for the Environment, Food and  Rural Affairs 
			 Dr. Chris Pater English Heritage 
			 Dr. Sian Rees Cadw

Historical Wrecks

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list those who have made representations about the project to retrieve gold and silver from the wreck of HMS Sussex.

David Lammy: Representations have been made about the project to retrieve gold and silver from the wreck of HMS Sussex from the following organisations and individuals:
	The Joint National Archaeological Policy Committee
	The Diver Magazine
	The Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology
	The Institute of Field Archaeologists
	English Heritage
	Wessex Archaeology
	McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research
	The Council for British Archaeology
	Francis Maude MP on behalf of a constituent
	13 Spanish Nationals

Historical Wrecks

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under which Council of Europe convention it is forbidden to undertake investigations to recover cultural property for commercial sale.

James Purnell: There is no Council of Europe convention which states that it is forbidden to undertake investigations to recover cultural property for commercial sale.

Historical Wrecks

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the bilateral agreements she (a) has signed and (b) is negotiating to protect historic wrecks.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not signed and is not negotiating at present any bilateral agreements to protect historic wrecks. Other departments, that lead on the Titanic and the Sussex for example, have signed bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Historical Wrecks

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what factors the Government took into account in making the decision that (a) protection of the wreck of the Rooswijk on the Goodwin Sands and (b) archaeological vetting of the recovery procedures of silver ingots now in the possession of the Dutch Finance Ministry were unnecessary.

David Lammy: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Government have not made a decision that the protection of the wreck of the Rooswijk is unnecessary. English Heritage is currently assessing the evidence and will then pass their analysis on to the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites for their consideration.
	(b) The Government did not take a decision that archaeological vetting of the recovery procedures of silver ingots was unneccessary. The silver ingots from the Rooswijk remain in the UK. The ingots are the property of the Dutch Government as the heirs of the Dutch East India Company. The ingots would require an export licence to leave the UK. No such application has been received. Procedures to recover the silver ingots have been undertaken under the terms of a private commercial contract and have been declared in accordance with UK legislation.

Libraries

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps Ministers in her Department are taking to encourage local authorities to give priority to libraries in making funding allocations.

David Lammy: Beyond fulfilling their statutory duty to provide comprehensive and efficient services, it is for the 149 library authorities to make their own funding decisions.
	Nevertheless, in recent years my Department has advocated strongly the cause of public libraries across both central and local Government. This has ranged from the publication of Framework for the Future, the first ever national public library strategy document in 2003 to, most recently, the letters I have sent to the Council Leaders of every library authority in England reminding them of the community value of public libraries and asking them to consider carefully what might be lost through closures.
	We have introduced library standards to underpin core provision and, more recently, impact measures to highlight the contribution that libraries make to wider community agendas in the context of the shared priorities of central and local Government. The standards already form a part of the libraries data within the Comprehensive Performance Assessment. It is envisaged that some of the Impact Measures will be a part of that framework from 2007.

Libraries

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the proposed library closures in Lancashire; and what powers she has to intervene.

David Lammy: The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 gives the Secretary of State a range of powers to intervene formally in a library authority but only where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the authority concerned is in breach of its own duty under that legislation.
	Although I regret any library closure, I do not believe that Lancashire County Council's decision to close 9 of the County's 85 static libraries puts them in breach of their statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service at this stage. However, I reserve my position to intervene, through the proper Government channels, at some future point and my officials will watch the emerging situation in Lancashire closely.

Libraries

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what minimum level of facilities she expects to be available in main town centre libraries.

David Lammy: Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, library authorities are required to provide a comprehensive and efficient service. This is taken to mean that the provision, free of charge, of access for people who live, work or study in their area to borrow or refer to books, printed material and pictures in line with their needs and requirements.
	Of course, DCMS wants to see a full range of appropriate facilities and services being offered to communities in public libraries. However, we believe that locally elected representatives are best placed to judge the precise needs of the communities they serve.

Libraries

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many library authorities outsource book procurement;
	(2)  how many staff are employed by library authorities on book selection; and how many were so employed in 1996;
	(3)  when she last met the Publishers Association to discuss the pricing of books supplied to public libraries;
	(4)  when she expects to receive initial proposals from the Public Libraries Stock Procurement Model Development project;
	(5)  how many (a) library authorities and (b) library consortia supply non-standard servicing in their book purchasing.

David Lammy: DCMS Ministers have not met the Publishers Association to discuss this issue. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has commissioned PWC to prepare options for models to improve the book supply chain for libraries and they are consulting a number of interested bodies including publishers to improve efficiency. DCMS expect to receive a report in the summer of 2006.
	PWC have collected information from a sample of 50 authorities. The following information is based on that sample. 35 per cent. of library authorities use supplier selection for at least some of their stock. 10 per cent. of authorities have one or more stock procurement activities provided to them by other local library authorities.
	On average, 7.6 staff per library authority are involved in some aspect of stock selection. There is a very wide range between authorities, anything from one to 37. This will be the result of a number of factors, such as size and location of library authority, systems for selection (e.g. any out-sourcing), whether done centrally or in individual branches and time spent per member of staff will vary considerably.
	If 'standard processing' is considered to be that prescribed by the National Acquisitions Group ('NAG'), then the same survey suggests that 20 per cent. of authorities comply with NAG standards, which in turn implies that 80 per cent. of libraries employ standards that differ from those prescribed by NAG.

Licensing

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many convictions against (a) premises licence holders and (b) personal licence holders there have been under the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: This information is not currently available. Court proceedings figures for 2005 will not be available from the Office for Criminal Justice Reform until the autumn of 2006.

Licensing

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Independent Fees Review Panel is expected to reach a conclusion as to whether the maximum number of temporary event notices for which village halls can apply under the Licensing Act 2003 should remain as stated in the Act.

James Purnell: The Panel has said that they will continue to work closely with stakeholder organisations over the next few months in order that they can assemble the further information that they need to progress the next stage of their work, culminating in a Final Report in the autumn of 2006. In the meantime we are continuing discussions with the relevant stakeholders about the impact of TENs on village halls.

Licensing

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what evidence the Independent Fees Review Panel has taken from (a) representatives of village halls and (b) Action with Communities in Rural England on the impact of temporary event notices.

James Purnell: As part of their Interim Review, the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel received evidence from a number of organisations including ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), individual village halls and local authorities, on the impact of temporary event notices (TENs) on village halls and other community facilities. The Government published the Panel's Interim Report on 5 December 2005. The report identified nine areas of activity that the Panel wishes to consider further during the next stage of their work. These include the consequence of the new fees regime on not-for-profit groups and events, and TENs limits. The full Interim Report can be accessed at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/monitoring_and_evaluation/ifreview.htm.

Licensing

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department estimates it cost local authorities to administer the new alcohol and entertainment licences required by the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: In a regulatory impact assessment accompanying the fee regulations made in January 2005, the Department estimated that the costs to licensing authorities during transition and the first three years of operation of the Licensing Act 2003 would be 221 million, which would be recovered through fee income.
	An independent Licensing Fees Review Panel, chaired by Sir Les Elton, is focusing as a priority on identifying local authority licensing fee income and costs. The panel's final report will be delivered in the autumn.

Licensing

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research her Department has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the effects of the Licensing Act 2003 on public houses and premises offering late night refreshments.

James Purnell: It is too early to draw any firm conclusions about the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 and I am not aware of any research on this issue which can be assessed.
	I have not commissioned any research, but the Government will continue to monitor the impact of the new legislation closely, including a programme of evaluation being conducted by the Home Office into the impact of the licensing reforms on crime and disorder.

London Olympics

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects KPMG will report on the latest cost of the Olympic games.

Tessa Jowell: As I said in my recent answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) on 26 January 2006, Official Report, column 2296W, I have commissioned KPMG to provide advice on the costs of the London 2012 Olympic games. Their work, which is ongoing, will inform our strategy for managing the Olympic project and costs will be kept under close scrutiny throughout.

London Olympics

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department has taken in order to ensure the building of facilities for the London Olympics will have minimal impact on local wildlife.

Richard Caborn: The Department is working with the bodies responsible for delivering the Games and associated infrastructure to develop strategies which will consider ecological protection and enhancement by identifying the current ecology of the area, and thereafter mitigating against any losses, while enhancing the ecology and biodiversity of the Park. This work is being developed in conjunction with relevant environmental bodies.

London Olympics

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what agreements cover her Department's relationship with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games in relation to the delivery of the 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 13 February 2006
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's relationship with LOCOG is subject to an agreement between myself, the Mayor of London and the British Olympic Association. This joint Venture Agreement sets out the constitution, board structure, and functions of LOCOG. A further agreement between the three parties, known as the Master Framework Agreement, includes matters concerning the relationship of LOCOG to the Olympic Board.

London Olympics

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much and what proportion of her Department's budget is allocated to delivering the 2012 Olympics in each of the next three years.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 13 February 2006
	Detailed budgets for the Olympic games over the 200607, 200708 and 200809 period have yet to be determined, pending the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Authority. However, we expect that the total of lottery and grant from DCMS to be committed to the Olympic Games Project over this period will amount to around 810 per cent. per annum of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's total public spending.

London Olympics

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with (a) Ministers from the Welsh Assembly Government and (b) officials from the Welsh Development Agency on prospects for involvement of (i) companies and (ii) residents of (A) Wales and (B) Blaenau Gwent in the 2012 Olympics.

Richard Caborn: I have regular contact with Alun Pugh to ensure that he is fully up to date with developments.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed the potential benefits for business and engagement of communities in Wales with Alun Pugh AM (Minister for Culture, Welsh language and Sport) at Sports Cabinet meetings in October 2003 and November 2005. She has not had specific discussions in relation to Blaenau Gwent.
	As sponsor of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA), it is for the Welsh Assembly Government to liaise with the Welsh Development Agency on these issues.
	The Nations and Regions Group, Chaired by Charles Alien, (with representatives from LOCOG, Central Government and each Nation and region across the UK) has been established to drive forward business and community engagement. Gareth Hall, Chief Executive of the WDA represents Wales on that group.

Marine Historic Environment

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions have taken place between officials and recognised UK diving organisations on the future of the marine historic environment.

Tessa Jowell: The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) and Professional Association of Diving Instructors International (PADI) were invited to participate in consultation seminars as part of the Marine Historic Environment Review in 2004. All three organisations attended the seminars and officially responded during the consultation. Their responses were reflected in the summary of consultation responses published in July 2005.
	In November 2005 my hon. Friend the Minister for Culture (Mr. Lammy) and officials met with representatives of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee, an umbrella body whose membership includes BSAC, SAA and PADI, to discuss, amongst other things, progress on the Marine Historic Environment Review.

Marine Historic Environment

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which UK recognised diving organisations were invited to participate in the Marine Review Working Groups on the marine historic environment.

Tessa Jowell: The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) and Professional Association Diving Instructors International (PADI) are members of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (JNAPC), the umbrella group whose membership spans archaeological bodies, diving organisations and other bodies with responsibilities for underwater cultural heritage. The JNAPC is represented on the Marine Historic Environment Review Salvage and Reporting Working Group.

Monuments and Statues

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding the Government have provided for the repair of monuments and statues in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) Greater London in each of the last seven years.

James Purnell: Government funding for the repair of monuments and statues is available through several channels.
	English Heritage provides grant funding through its Historic Buildings, Monuments and Designed Landscapes Grant scheme and its War Memorials Grant scheme. Grant aid for the repair of monuments and statues in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) Greater London in each of the last seven years has been:
	
		
		
			  Romford Havering Greater London 
		
		
			 1999 nil nil 16,469 
			 2000 nil nil Nil 
			 2001 nil nil 10,000 
			 2002 nil nil Nil 
			 2003 nil nil 7,250 
			 2004 nil nil 5,000 
			 2005 nil nil 7,500 
			 2006 nil nil 10,000 
			 Total nil nil 56,219 
		
	
	In addition, English Heritage provides grant funding under its Historic Buildings, Monuments and Designed Landscapes Grant scheme for scheduled ancient monuments and grant aid in the last seven years for repairs to such monuments within Greater London (none of which were in Romford or Havering) has been:
	
		
		
			 Monument Grant Year 
		
		
			 Howbury Moated Site, Bexley 106,644 2000 
			 Conduit House, Greenwich 8,618 2001 
			 Morden Park Mound, Morden 3,490 2002 
			 Ivy Conduit, Kingston 3,354 2004 
			 Total 122,106  
		
	
	Several statues in central London are in the direct care of English Heritage and in the financial year 200506, English Heritage will have spent 214,983 on their maintenance. The information for the previous years is not readily available but the figure will be of the same order of magnitude.
	The National Heritage Memorial Fund has provided no funding for the repair of monuments and statues in Greater London in the period specified.
	In March 2005 the Chancellor announced the Memorials Grant scheme, which returns to charities and faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in erecting and maintaining memorial structures. The scheme has been operational since November and funding of 5 million is available until 2008. On 16 February 2006, 4,980.55 was paid towards the renovation of a memorial in the City of London Cemetery in London E12. Currently, no payments have been made for structures in Romford or Havering under this scheme.

National Lottery

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which 50 organisations received the most money from the National Lottery in each of the past seven years.

Richard Caborn: I am arranging for the information requested to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average annual (a) number and (b) value of National Lottery grants awarded to recipients in West Lancashire was between (i) the establishment of the Lottery and 2000 and (ii) 2001 and 2005.

Richard Caborn: From the start of the Lottery to 2000, there were on average 14 awards worth 666,000 made every year by the Lottery Distributors to recipients in the constituency of West Lancashire.
	From 2001 to 2005 this increased to, on average, 36 awards worth 1.3 million every year.
	This information is derived from the Department's Lottery award database, searchable at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk, which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.

National Lottery

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the additionality principle that funding of public services should not be topped up by proceeds from National Lottery ticket sales.

Richard Caborn: We continue to follow the principle set out in our July 2003 policy statement
	Lottery funding will not be allowed to become a substitute for funding that would normally fall to mainstream Government spending
	a basic principle which has been expressed in slightly different ways in the past by successive Governments.

National Lottery

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was allocated from National lottery funds to (a) the Football Foundation, (b) the Public Parks Initiative and (c) repair grants for places of worship in England in each of the last four years.

Richard Caborn: The information is as follows:
	(a) In March 2002, Sport England made one lottery award to the Football Foundation worth 12 million.
	
		(b) Public Parks Initiative funded by the Heritage lottery fund
		
			 Decision financial year Awarded () 
		
		
			 200102 50,269,718 
			 200203 40,203,675 
			 200304 32,928,165 
			 200405 29,492,200 
		
	
	
		(c) Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund
		
			 Decision financial year Awarded () 
		
		
			 200203 14,990,720 
			 200304 18,599,681 
			 200405 15,023,721 
		
	
	The Repair Grants for Places of Worship (RPOW) programme was established in 2002. Prior to this, the Heritage lottery fund ran the Joint Places of Worship scheme.

Online Gambling

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many online gambling companies have registered with (a) her Department and (b) the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: There is no provision for online gambling companies to register with this Department under the Gambling Act 2005.
	From September 2007, when the Act is fully implemented, any remote gambling company wishing to operate from Great Britain must be licensed by the Gambling Commission. Under current proposals the Commission will begin taking advance licence applications from January 2007.

Online Gambling

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional regulations she intends to bring forward concerning internet gambling companies advertising in the UK.

Richard Caborn: It is the intention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that the regulation of gambling advertising should fall to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), based on codes drawn up in consultation with the Gambling Commission.
	Under section 328 of the Gambling Act 2005 the Secretary of State has the reserve power to make regulation controlling gambling advertising, should it become apparent that the ASA was not able to do so.

Online Gambling

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many internet gambling companies have been prosecuted for violating the Gaming Act 1968 after advertising gambling services in the UK.

Richard Caborn: To date no internet gambling companies have been prosecuted for violating the Gaming Act 1968 after advertising gambling services in the UK.

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of her Department and its predecessors.

Richard Caborn: The Principal Civil Service Pension scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	Liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme-37 billion
	Deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing-12.7 billion
	Current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants-34.4 billion
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.

Playing Fields

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are in place to record the number and quality of playing fields in the UK.

Richard Caborn: The Active Places database www.activeplaces.com run by Sport England is the method used to record the numbers of playing pitches. The national collection of this data is a complex process and Sport England's work on this continues. Some 50,000 grass pitches are currently listed on the database, with further analysis ongoing. The proposed inclusion of sport as part of a cultural block within the Comprehensive Performance Assessment will be used to measure quality and include the use of benchmarks.

Playing Fields

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have for the creation of new playing fields.

Richard Caborn: The development of new playing fields is a matter for local authorities who are best placed to decide on local needs. Sport England is working with a range of local partners to determine the priorities for increasing participation in sport, including supporting the development of local authority facilities strategies. Sport England is also developing a national facilities strategy, in partnership with local authorities, and will continue to invest in indoor and outdoor sports facilities (including playing fields). The creation of new playing fields will be recorded on Sport England's Active Places database www.activeplaces.com.

Television Licences

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public consultation will be undertaken on the future level of television licence fee funding; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: As part of this BBC Charter review, we have conducted extensive public consultation and research on attitudes to the BBC, including funding. In line with our commitment in the Green Paper we will take account of the public's views via tailored survey research. We also intend to hold a seminar as part of the evidence gathering process offering an opportunity for key interested parties to express their views.

Television Licences

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government plan to publish an initial response to the proposals put forward by the BBC to set the future level of the licence fee at retail price index plus 2.3 per cent.; and what measures her Department will be taking to ensure that the process for setting the future level of the licence fee (a) is transparent and (b) includes public consultation before a decision is taken.

Tessa Jowell: The Government are currently conducting a funding review to determine the level of the television licence fee to apply from April 2007. Throughout the process of this Charter Review we have conducted extensive public consultation and research on attitudes to the BBC, including funding. We have also commissioned external expert analysis from PKF. Subject to proper consideration of confidentiality, we intend to make PKF's findings public in due course. In line with our commitment in the Green Paper we will take account of the public's views via tailored survey research. We also intend to hold a seminar as part of the evidence gathering process offering an opportunity for key interested parties to express their views.

Television Licences

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in (a) Uxbridge constituency and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon are in receipt of the free television licence for over-75-year-olds.

James Purnell: TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in 200405 in the Uxbridge constituency was 4,130 and 12,860 in the London borough of Hillingdon, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

Television Licences

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people over 75 years in West Lancashire are in receipt of free television licences; and what percentage of viewing households this figure represents.

James Purnell: TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in the West Lancashire constituency in 200405 was 4,975, according to Department for Work and Pensions records. This represents 13.2 per cent. of the total number of households in West Lancashire according to the 2001 Census statistics.

Television Licences

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to ensure that senior citizens over the age of 75 years are taking advantage of their right to avail themselves of a free television licence.

James Purnell: The BBC, as television licensing authority has responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and therefore also for promoting awareness of the licensing requirements and the concessionary arrangements. I have asked the BBC's Head of Revenue Management to consider the question raised by my hon. Friend and to write to him direct. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Television Licences

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners in Northern Ireland received free television licences in 2005.

James Purnell: TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the estimated number of benefit units claiming the retirement pension in Northern Ireland, where at least one person is aged 75 years or over, is 81, 325 according to the Department for Social Development figures.

Television Licences

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to make free TV licences available to people aged 65 and over; and what assessment she has made of the cost of doing so.

James Purnell: In the BBC Charter Review Green Paper published in March 2005, the Government indicated that it believed the current scope of television licence fee concessions was about right but undertook to re-examine any anomalies in the existing concessions policy. Our conclusions, which will take into account the responses to the Green Paper consultation, will be set out in the White Paper which we intend to publish shortly. However, the estimated additional cost of extending free television licences to all households with a person aged 65 or over would be over 425 million a year, based on the current licence fee level.

Television Licences

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the BBC on alternatives to the licence fee.

James Purnell: In the context of Charter Review, there has been a wide range of discussions with interested parties, including the BBC, to discuss alternatives to the licence fee. We confirmed that the BBC would continue to be funded by the licence fee for the duration of the next Charter period in the Green Paper, A strong BBC, independent of government, published in March 2004.

Tourism (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to assist the growth of tourism in Peterborough; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: My Department makes available grant-in-aid of some 50 million per year to VisitBritain to promote Britain overseas as an attractive tourist destination and to promote England in the domestic market. In addition, DCMS allocates over 1 billion in support of galleries, museums, sport and heritage. This investment benefits tourism throughout the country, including Peterborough.
	Since 2003, Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have had strategic responsibility for tourism development in the regions. DCMS makes a contribution of 3.6 million per annum to the RDA Single Pot towards this. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is taking steps to assist the growth of tourism in Peterborough in three ways: Firstly, it has increased investment in the East of England Tourist Board, with the remit of promoting the region as a whole. Secondly, EEDA will be providing funding for a Greater Cambridgeshire tourism strategy. Thirdly, EEDA seeks to ensure that all relevant economic development work supported by the Agency (including business support, skills and infrastructure development) takes tourism into account.

Vandalism

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the acts of vandalism which have been perpetrated (a) inside and (b) on the outside of her Department's buildings in the last 12 months.

Richard Caborn: In the last 12 months acts of vandalism have been perpetrated on the premises of the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport as follows:
	(a) insidethe visitor's toilet at 24 Cockspur street, London was smeared with excrement;
	(b) outsideracist graffiti was inscribed on exterior walls of 24 Cockspur street, and a ground floor window was broken at Grove House, London.

Worship Grant Scheme

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the value of (a) the smallest and (b) the largest grant awarded under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in each year since 2001.

James Purnell: The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme returns to faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to the fabric of listed church buildings. Information is not available on the smallest and largest grants made in each year since 2001. While there is an operational minimum claim of 100, applicants are able to make one claim in relation to a number of invoices spread over time. The largest single claim totalled 252,161.46 and the largest composite payment made was 392,001.49 spread over four financial years.

Worship Grant Scheme

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of the number of places of worship in the UK that are not listed as eligible for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

James Purnell: No estimate has been made of the number of places of worship that would be ineligible under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme as there are no central statistics on the number of unlisted church buildings. The scheme returns to faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed church buildings. Where a church is not listed, but is considered to be of special historic or architectural interest, an application for listing can be made to English Heritage.

Worship Grant Scheme

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many places of worship there are that are listed as eligible for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

James Purnell: The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme returns to faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to the fabric of listed places of worship. The scheme applies throughout the United Kingdom and I estimate that approximately 29,000 places of worship would be eligible to make an application.

Worship Grant Scheme

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many places of worship received funding under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in each year since 2001.

James Purnell: The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme returns to faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to the fabric of listed church buildings. The number of places of worship that have benefited under the scheme each year since 2001 is in the table.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of successful applicants 
		
		
			 200102 442 
			 200203 2,230 
			 200304 2,364 
			 200405 2,354 
			 200506 to date 2,344

WORK AND PENSIONS

Ambition Pilots

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Ambition pilots for job placement; and what follow-up actions have been taken by (a) Jobcentre Plus and (b) other departmental agencies as a result of the pilots.

Margaret Hodge: The Ambition programme has demonstrated that working with industry and sector based partners to enhance employment opportunity for disadvantaged people has been very successful. The programme has met its aims of supporting people into employment. At the same time we have developed new approaches to training ensuring that the training better meets the customised needs of employers.
	Ambition Retail, IT and Construction have now all come to an end and the final Ambition Energy and Health courses will end in March. A report on the pilots Ambition: identifying best practice for demand led approaches GHK Consulting, DWP Research Report 264, 2005, is available in the Library. The lessons learned from the Ambition pilots will be embedded in successor programmes.
	We are currently in negotiation with partners in the Learning and Skills Council and the Energy and Utilities Sector Skills Council to develop plans for a successor programme within the energy and utilities sector. It is hoped that any developments in this sector can be applied into other occupational areas.

Benefit Claims Processing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on contracting out the administration of paper-based methods of benefit claims in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The Department has not contracted out the administration of paper-based methods of benefit claims.

Benefit Claims Processing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of benefit claimants used a paper-based method as their principal method of claiming benefits in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: All benefit claims are paper based with the exception of claims to state pension. Although it is possible to make benefit claims on-line, by telephone and face to face, a hard copy of the claim requires the signature of the applicant before the claim can be considered in the normal way.
	In August 2005 a rolling programme of transformation commenced which allows customers in three geographical locations (London, Dundee and Swansea) to make their claim to state pension over the telephone without the need to sign a claim form. 9,141 claims were made over the telephone between August 2005 and January 2006. This means that 98 per cent. of the 200506 state pension claims received involved a paper-based claim form.

Benefit Payments

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what was the transactional cost of paying benefits into foreign bank accounts of UK citizens resident abroad in (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The transactional cost to DWP of paying benefits into foreign bank accounts of UK citizens resident abroad in (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries is no more than payments to citizens residing in the UK. Further information is commercial in confidence between the Department and its banks.

Benefit Recipients (Bank Access)

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in receipt of benefit, including pensioners, who are not within a 30-minute public transport journey to a bank.

James Plaskitt: The Department has made no estimate of the number of customers who are not within a 30-minute public transport journey to a bank.
	There are a wide range of options available to people in receipt of benefit or pensions for collecting their money without travelling to their bank. For example they can get their money from one of 33,000 free cash machines or by using the cashback facility offered by many supermarkets and other retail outlets.
	In addition, most customers with bank accounts no longer have to acquire goods or services through the use of cash, with a very wide network of retailers accepting payment via debit cards, in person, by telephone or via the Internet.
	Also, many basic and normal bank accounts can be accessed at post offices and there are around 14,500 post offices within the network.

Benefits

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people received housing benefit in Scotland in each year since 1995, broken down by local authority; and what total spending on housing benefit in Scotland has been since 1995.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following tables. Because of local authority boundary changes in 1995 and 1996, information for those years is given in separate tables.
	
		Housing benefit (HB) recipients in Scotland by local authority: August 1995 -- Thousand
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Scotland 544.9 
			 Aberdeen 17.0 
			 Angus 6.8 
			 Annandale and Eskdale 2.5 
			 Argyll-Bute 5.4 
			 Badenoch 0.8 
			 Banff and Buchan 5.5 
			 Bearsden and Milngavie 0.9 
			 Berwickshire 1.3 
			 Caithness 2.1 
			 Clackmannan 4.5 
			 Clydebank 6.6 
			 Clydesdale 4.6 
			 Cumbernauld 2.9 
			 Cumbernauld (Dev C) 2.7 
			 Cumnock and Doon 5.2 
			 Cunninghame 13.7 
			 Dumbarton 7.2 
			 Dundee 23.1 
			 Dunfermline 10.5 
			 East Kilbride 1.4 
			 East Kilbride (Dev C) 4.7 
			 East Lothian 6.8 
			 Eastwood 1.3 
			 Edinburgh 42.8 
			 Ettrick and Lauderdale 2.3 
			 Falkirk 14.3 
			 Glasgow 124.5 
			 Glenrothes (Dev C) 3.1 
			 Gordon 2.9 
			 Hamilton 11.4 
			 Inverclyde 10.6 
			 Inverness 4.7 
			 Irvine (Dev C) 1.8 
			 Kilmarnock 8.4 
			 Kincardine and Deeside 1.7 
			 Kirkcaldy 14.0 
			 Kyle and Carrick 9.9 
			 Livingston (Dev C) 3.5 
			 Lochaber 1.5 
			 Midlothian 4.8 
			 Monklands 13.2 
			 Moray 5.6 
			 Motherwell 18.6 
			 Nairn 0.8 
			 Nithsdale 4.2 
			 North East Fife 3.5 
			 Orkney Isles 1.0 
			 Perth and Kinross 8.4 
			 Renfrew 21.1 
			 Ross and Cromarty 4.0 
			 Roxburgh 3.1 
			 Scottish Homes 30.3 
			 Shetland Isles 1.0 
			 Skye and Lochalsh 0.8 
			 Stewartry 1.5 
			 Stirling 6.8 
			 Strathkelvin 3.6 
			 Sutherland 1.0 
			 Tweeddale 0.9 
			 West Lothian 10.8 
			 Western Isles 1.7 
			 Wigtown 3.2 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit (HB) recipients in Scotland by local authority: August 1996 -- Thousand
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Scotland 548.3 
			 Aberdeen 17.3 
			 Aberdeenshire 10.3 
			 Angus 7.2 
			 Argyll and Bute 6.7 
			 Clackmannanshire 4.6 
			 Cumbernauld Dev Corp 2.5 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 12.3 
			 Dundee 22.5 
			 East Ayrshire 13.6 
			 East Dunbartonshire 3.8 
			 East Lothian 7.6 
			 East Renfrewshire 3.7 
			 Edinburgh 42.7 
			 Falkirk 14.4 
			 Fife 30.6 
			 Glasgow 120.2 
			 Highland 16.3 
			 Inverclyde 10.5 
			 Irvine Dev Corp 1.7 
			 Livingstone Dev Corp 3.2 
			 Midlothian 5.9 
			 Moray 5.9 
			 North Ayrshire 13.8 
			 North Lanarkshire 37.3 
			 Orkney Islands 1.0 
			 Perth and Kinross 8.6 
			 Renfrewshire 18.6 
			 Scottish Borders 7.7 
			 Scottish Homes 24.1 
			 Shetland Islands 1.1 
			 South Ayrshire 9.7 
			 South Lanarkshire 30.5 
			 Stirling 6.9 
			 West Dunbartonshire 12.5 
			 West Lothian 11.3 
			 Western Isles 1.7 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit (HB) recipients in Scotland by local authority: each August 19972005 -- Thousand
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Scotland 532.0 515.1 504.8 479.2 457.6 448.2 438.4 450.8 440.5 
			 Aberdeen 16.7 15.7 16.1 15.8 15.4 15.4 15.4 16.0 15.4 
			 Aberdeenshire 10.1 9.8 9.6 9.3 9.3 9.5 9.6 10.2 10.2 
			 Angus 8.2 7.8 7.6 7.8 7.5 7.1 7.1 7.5 7.7 
			 Argyll and Bute 6.7 6.6 6.5 6.3 6.1 6.1 5.8 5.9 5.8 
			 Clackmannanshire 4.5 4.9 5.3 4.9 4.9 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 
			 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.2 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.3 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 12.2 11.9 11.6 10.8 10.6 10.4 10.1 10.7 10.6 
			 Dundee 21.7 22.9 21.4 20.7 19.1 19.3 17.8 18.5 18.2 
			 East Ayrshire 13.9 13.4 10.8 10.5 12.2 11.9 12.1 12.4 12.2 
			 East Dunbartonshire 3.5 3.8 4.2 4.3 4.2 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.9 
			 East Lothian 7.7 7.6 7.0 6.6 5.6 5.7 5.9 6.0 5.9 
			 East Renfrewshire 3.4 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.5 3.3 
			 Edinburgh 41.5 38.0 37.1 33.2 33.2 32.3 31.3 33.0 33.5 
			 Falkirk 14.5 15.1 14.4 13.7 13.0 13.0 12.6 12.8 12.4 
			 Fife 31.0 31.6 30.5 32.0 27.9 26.9 26.6 27.1 26.8 
			 Glasgow 113.7 109.3 109.2 102.5 98.5 97.2 100.2 98.3 91.8 
			 Highland 16.3 16.0 14.6 14.5 14.0 13.5 12.9 13.6 13.6 
			 Inverclyde 11.2 10.1 10.9 9.5 9.4 9.6 9.4 9.5 9.5 
			 Midlothian 6.1 5.9 5.9 5.6 5.4 5.1 5.1 5.2 4.9 
			 Moray 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.5 4.9 4.4 4.4 4.7 4.7 
			 North Ayrshire 14.3 14.0 14.3 14.0 14.0 13.4 12.9 13.7 13.9 
			 North Lanarkshire 37.7 37.0 37.7 34.5 33.6 33.8 28.6 33.4 33.0 
			 Orkney 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8  0.8 
			 Perth and Kinross 8.5 8.3 8.1 7.7 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.6 7.6 
			 Renfrewshire 18.8 19.6 20.4 19.5 18.4 17.7 15.8 16.9 16.5 
			 Scottish Borders 7.9 7.5 7.6 7.4 6.7 7.0 7.2 7.1 7.2 
			 Scottish Homes 19.4 12.7 9.4 7.0 3.2 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Shetland 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 
			 South Ayrshire 9.9 7.6 8.7 8.5 8.7 8.6 8.5 8.6 8.6 
			 South Lanarkshire 30.3 30.9 30.0 28.3 27.5 27.5 27.0 26.3 25.3 
			 Stirling 6.5 6.3 6.1 5.7 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.3 5.2 
			 West Dunbartonshire 12.3 13.0 12.4 12.5 11.8 12.0 11.8 11.9 11.6 
			 West Lothian 14.4 15.1 14.7 13.6 13.1 12.7 12.7 13.2 13.1 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable.
	Notes:
	1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 and expressed in thousands.
	3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	5. Local authority boundaries in Scotland have changed since 1995.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken between August 1995 to August 2005.
	
		Housing benefit expenditure in Scotland --  million
		
			  Housing benefit and discretionary housing payments (nominal terms) Housing benefit and discretionary housing payments (real terms 200506 prices) 
		
		
			 199596 907 1,163 
			 199697 967 1,197 
			 199798 1,014 1,219 
			 199899 1,039 1,218 
			 19992000 1,054 1,211 
			 200001 1,073 1,218 
			 200102 1,118 1,238 
			 200203 1,243 1,334 
			 200304 1,150 1,202 
			 200405 1,188 1,217 
		
	
	Note:
	200405 figures are estimated outturn.
	Source:
	DWP Benefit expenditure tables.

Benefits

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Peterborough constituency received (a) widow's benefit, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) income support in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: Widows benefit is not available broken down geographically prior to 1999. Housing benefit and council tax benefit figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency; local authority figures have been provided.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		Widows benefit and bereavement benefit claimants in the Peterborough parliamentary constituency: each August 19992005
		
			  Widows benefit Bereavement benefit 
		
		
			 August 1999 400 n/a 
			 August 2000 400 n/a 
			 August 2001 400 n/a 
			 August 2002 400 100 
			 August 2003 300 100 
			 August 2004 300 100 
			 August 2005 200 100 
		
	
	n/a = figures are not applicable.
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Bereavement benefit, which replaced widows benefit for new claims, was introduced in April 2001.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent.
	
		Housing benefit and council tax benefit case loads: Peterborough city council; each August from 1997 to 2005
		
			  Housing benefit Council tax benefit 
		
		
			 August 1997 13,400 14,500 
			 August 1998 12,800 13,900 
			 August 1999 11,800 13,700 
			 August 2000 11,000 13,100 
			 August 2001 11,200 12,900 
			 August 2002 11,100 12,700 
			 August 2003 10,800 12,600 
			 August 2004 11,000 13,300 
			 August 2005 11,500 13,700 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	3. Council tax benefit totals exclude any second adult rebate cases.
	4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. case load stock-count taken in August 1997 to August 2005.
	
		Income support claimants (excluding minimum income guarantee) in the Peterborough parliamentary constituency; each August from 1997 to 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 August 1997 5,300 
			 August 1998 5,100 
			 August 1999 4,800 
			 August 2000 4,900 
			 August 2001 4,900 
			 August 2002 4,900 
			 August 2003 4,900 
			 August 2004 4,900 
			 August 2005 4,600 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for August 1999 to August 2005 are from the DWP 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, while figures for August 1997 and August 1998 are derived by applying 5 per cent. proportions to 100 per cent. totals.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	3. Income support figures exclude minimum income guarantee (MIG); pension credit replaced MIG on 6 October 2003 and ended IS entitlement to customers aged 60+. Pension credit cases are not included in the figures in the table.
	Source:
	DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) and DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. samples.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the merits of making existing deduction of earnings orders by the Child Support Agency automatically transferable to new employers; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: It is not feasible to make deduction from earnings orders (DEO) automatically transferable to new employers. There is however a requirement on the individual and a new employer, who is aware a DEO exists, to report a change of employment within seven days and an old employer within 10 days of employment ending.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  for what reason non-resident parents are not required to inform the Child Support Agency of a change in (a) job, (b) address and (c) income; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make it a statutory obligation for non-resident parents who have been assessed for Child Support Agency maintenance to inform the Agency of changes of (a) address and (b) job; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The non-resident parent must provide all the relevant information to allow the initial child support liability to be established. Thereafter, he must provide further information to the Agency when a specific request is made, except in cases where he is paying maintenance via Deduction from Earnings Order as he must notify the Agency himself if he has a change of employer. It is a criminal offence to fail to provide information to the Agency when requested to do so or by knowingly providing false information and is punishable by a fine of up to 1,000.
	We have not sought to make it a legal requirement for a non-resident parent to report changes of circumstance. We consider it important to provide stability of the amount to be paid and as such a legal duty may not deter someone determined to evade paying.
	Following the announcement of the Operational Improvement Plan, the Agency intends to improve their ability to trace non-resident parents who move jobs or address, to try and evade their responsibility to pay. This will include using information held by Credit Reference Agencies.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 608W, on the Child Support Agency, what estimate he has made of the proportion of time staff at the agency spent assessing (a) levels of maintenance and (b) enforcement and compliance activity in 1998.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17th November 2005 Official Report column 608W on the Child Support Agency what estimate he has made of the proportion of time staff at the Agency spent assessing (a) levels of maintenance and (b) enforcement and compliance activity in 1998.
	The Agency does not collect information concerning the amount of time spent on assessing levels of maintenance compared with time spent on enforcement and compliance activities.
	However, the Agency does collect information on the number of staff working on assessing levels of maintenance compared with enforcement and compliance activities. The earliest figures available date from September 1999 and are a best estimate. In September 1999 around 73% of staff were involved in activities that contributed to assessing levels of maintenance, and around 27% of staff were involved in enforcement and compliance work. It is important to recognise that these percentages relate to old scheme activities when working practices were significantly different.
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many child support cases a reduced benefit decision was administered where a parent with care refused to undergo a scientific test under section 46 of the Child Support Act 1991 in each year since 2001.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many penalty payments were (a) issued by the Child Support Agency and (b) paid by non-resident parents under section 41A of the Child Support Act 1991 in each year since 2001.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many penalty payments were (a) issued by the Child Support Agency and (b) paid by non-resident parents under section 41A of the Child Support Act 1991 in each year since 2001.
	This power to impose a one-off penalty when clients miss a payment by the time the next payment is due is a discretionary power of the Agency. The Agency has not routinely used this power as an enforcement measure. We are currently in the process of developing guidance on when it might be reasonable to use this power.
	I am sorry that I am not able to be more helpful.

Child Support Agency

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward proposals to make Child Support Agency records reportable at constituency level.

James Plaskitt: Administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	You asked the Secretary of State if he will bring forward proposals to make Child Support Agency records reportable at constituency level.
	Management information from the old computer system will support the production of constituency level estimates of the number of child support cases with an assessment in each constituency. However, it is not possible to provide more detailed breakdowns at this level (such as compliance) because management information for this system is drawn from a 5 per cent. sample of cases, which does not provide a large enough sample size to allow the production of sufficiently robust estimates.
	Whilst it is theoretically possible to provide information on a much greater range of statistics for old and new scheme cases on the new computer system at constituent level (as they are based on a 100 per cent. scan of the system), code details, which allow the identification of geographical areas below national level, have yet to be successfully loaded into the system accessed by CSA analysts. This means it is not currently possible to provide such figures.
	This issue is currently being addressed as part of a management information improvement project, which has already begun to deliver more robust statistics in relation to cases on the new computer system. It is envisaged that the Agency will be in a position to provide constituency (and other sub-national) level figures for cases on the new computer system within the next few months, at which point they will be made available on the Department's website alongside the CSA quarterly summary of statistics.
	I hope this has been helpful.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases have been dealt with as clerical cases in each month since March 2003.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases have been dealt with as clerical cases in each month since March 2003.
	The information available is set out in the following table and provides the clerical caseload for each month:
	
		
			 Month Caseload 
		
		
			 October 2004 8,000 
			 November 2004 8,000 
			 December 2004 9,000 
			 January 2005 9,000 
			 February 2005 10,000 
			 March 2005 11,000 
			 April 2005 11,000 
			 May 2005 12,000 
			 June 2005 13,000 
			 August 2005 14,000 
			 September 2005 15,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. This information was not recorded prior to October 2004.
	2. Figures rounded to nearest thousand
	3. These figures relate to both new and old scheme cases (the latter on both the new and old computer systems)that could not be progressed due to technical (IT) problems
	The Agency is currently working with EDS to rectify the IT problems that necessitate cases being worked clerically in order to progress them. Whilst this work is ongoing, the volume of cases being progressed clerically will continue to rise.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what compensation (a) has been paid by and (b) has been sought from EDS for problems with the Child Support Agency computer system since 200102.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what compensation (a) has been paid by and (b) has been sought from EDS for problems with the Child Support Agency computer system since 200102.
	Through the general contract realignment with EDS announced in August 2005, the Department addressed issues around the CS2 computer system. As a result EDS will deliver to current specifications and correct all agreed defects at no extra cost; in addition the Department expects to save around 65m (net present value) in current projected spend on child support IT over the remaining period of the deal with EDS (to August 2010).

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time between receipt of an application to the Child Support Agency and the granting of a warrant from a magistrate was in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the chief executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time between receipt of an application to the Child Support Agency and the granting of a warrant from a magistrate was in each of the last five years.
	The Secretary of State can seek to enforce recovery of an outstanding amount of child support maintenance through the court process. If that amount or any part of it remains unpaid he may apply to the Magistrates Court under section 39A of the 1991 Act for the issue of a warrant committing the liable person to prison or for an order to disqualify him/her from holding or obtaining a driving licence.
	The crucial trigger for commencing enforcement action is the start of non compliance. There is no clear relationship between an application for maintenance and the granting of a committal warrant or order to withdraw a driving licence as any of these cases could include periods of compliance.
	We have provided the information you have requested in the table below. The data provided has been calculated based on the cases where the Non Resident Parent has been committed to prison or disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence and represents sentences made in England  Wales as well as Scotland.
	
		Yearly average
		
			  Time from maintenance application to warrant granted-committal to prison Time from maintenance application to warrant granted-driving licence withdrawal 
		
		
			 200102 No sentences No sentences 
			 200203 5 years and 4 months 5 years and 4 months 
			 200304 7 years and 3 months 6 years and 10 months 
			 200405 7 years and 4 months 6 years and 8 months 
			 200506 (YTD October) 7 years and 8 months 8 years and 11 months 
			 Average years 6 years and 11 months 7 years and 5 months 
		
	
	When a Non Resident Parent has become non-compliant their case is referred to the Enforcement Directorate. The table below provides the average length of time it has taken between receipt of a case into the Enforcement Directorate and the issue of a warrant by a magistrate in England  Wales or a sheriff in Scotland.
	
		Yearly average
		
			  Time from enforcement referral received to warrant grantedcommittal to prison Time from enforcement referral received to warrant grantedwithdrawal of driving licence 
		
		
			 200102 No sentences No sentences 
			 200203 3 years and 9 months 5 years and 3 months 
			 200304 3 years and 8 months 4 years and 8 months 
			 200405 3 years and 8 months 4 years and 2 months 
			 200506 (YTD October) 2 years and 4 months 4 years and 4 months 
			 Average years 3 years and 4 months 4 years and 8 months 
		
	
	This table shows that in the past year the average time taken for a warrant to be issued after a case has been received into the Enforcement Directorate is significantly less than in previous years.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost of staff time in managing the EDS contract at the Child Support Agency has been in each year for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost of staff time in managing the EDS contract at the Child Support Agency has been in each year for which figures are available.
	It is not possible to break down the specific costs for staff involved in managing the child support contract with EDS. However, the cost of maintaining the commercial/contract management team that deals with child support specific issued including EDS is in the table attached:
	I hope you find this response helpful.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200001 82,488 
			 200102 145,902 
			 200203 211,393 
			 200304 433,138 
			 200405 412,422 
			 200505 (69)232,000 
		
	
	(69) Projected Outturn
	Notes:
	1. Prior to 2000 the CSA did not have a dedicated Commercials team, the necessary expertise was provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
	2. The CSA Commercials Team was built up gradually once the contract with EDS was signed in August 2000. It is important to note that this team are not solely responsible for IT procurement but are also heavily involved with other DWP contracts that CSA use.
	3. Specialist external commercial expertise was employed during 200304 and 200405. Over an 18 month period this private sector expertise resulted in knowledge transfer to existing civil servants and is therefore not currently required.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what average amount was paid in each month since the Child Support Agency new scheme came into effect to parents whose cases are (a) on the old scheme and (b) on the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what average amount was paid in each month since the new scheme came into effect to parents whose cases are (a) on the old scheme and (b) on the new scheme.
	Information regarding the average amount of total maintenance paid to parents with care on the new scheme each month can be found in the attached table. The same information for those parents with care whose cases are being administered on the old scheme is not available.
	Whilst new scheme compliance has increased from 57 per cent. in April 2004 to 65 per cent. in December 2005, the average payment to parents with care on the new scheme has fallen over time.
	This is due to a similar fall in the average maintenance liability of non-resident parents who made payments to the Agency over the period which, in turn, is likely to be driven by a steady increase over time in the proportion of compliant cases in which the 5 flat rate of maintenance was deducted directly from the non resident parent's benefit, as the Agency has become progressively more effective at implementing these arrangements.
	I hope you find this helpful.
	
		Average size of payments received by parents with care per month, from March 2003 to December 2005
		
			 Month Average payment to parents with care 
		
		
			 March 2003 4 
			 April 2003 104 
			 May 2003 145 
			 June 2003 143 
			 July 2003 153 
			 August 2003 132 
			 September 2003 126 
			 October 2003 115 
			 November 2003 103 
			 December 2003 102 
			 January 2004 108 
			 February 2004 98 
			 March 2004 101 
			 April 2004 98 
			 May 2004 99 
			 June 2004 101 
			 July 2004 100 
			 August 2004 98 
			 September 2004 104 
			 October 2004 99 
			 November 2004 98 
			 December 2004 97 
			 January 2005 101 
			 February 2005 94 
			 March 2005 92 
			 April 2005 93 
			 May 2005 90 
			 June 2005 92 
			 July 2005 89 
			 August 2005 89 
			 September 2005 92 
			 October 2005 89 
			 November 2005 88 
			 December 2005 84 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures reflect the average monthly payment (both regular maintenance and arrears) made to parents with care by the Agency for collection service cases. As such, this excludes maintenance received from non resident parents that went directly to the Secretary of State as the parent with care was on benefit, but includes child maintenance premium payments.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time was between the Child Support Agency notifying the Job Centreplus to deduct the 5 flat rate in maintenance from a non-resident parent's benefit and the maintenance deduction made in the last period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: I will let the hon. Member have such information as is available as soon as possible.
	Substantive answer from James Plaskitt to Frank Field:
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the right hon. Member with the requested information.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time was between the Child Support Agency notifying the Job Centre Plus to deduct the five pound flat rate in maintenance from a non-resident parent's benefit and the maintenance deduction being made in the last period for which figures are available.
	Information regarding the time between the Agency requesting Jobcentre Plus to set up deductions from a non-resident parent's benefit and maintenance being deducted is not available.
	We are, however, able to provide indicative information using the difference between the date on which Jobcentre Plus notified the Agency that a collection schedule had been set up, and the date on which maintenance was received by the Agency. This is available for cases where:
	payment had both been received from Jobcentre Plus and made to the parent with care;
	the case's original collection schedule was a deduction from benefit and was still in place at the time of first payment, i.e. excluding cases were there was a subsequent change of circumstance.
	December 2005 figures show that for all new-scheme cases received since the inception of the scheme, the average time between Jobcentre Plus notifying the Agency that a collection schedule had been set up and payment being received by the Agency was 28 days.
	I hope you find this useful.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency assessments have arrived at a nil assessment in each month since 1 January 2004; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Support Agency assessments have arrived at a nil assessment in each month since 1 January 2004; and if he will make a statement.
	Cases can have a nil liability under the new scheme because the non resident parent:
	pays flat rate maintenance because they are on benefit and share care of any qualifying child for a minimum of 52 nights per year.
	has a net weekly income of less than 5/week.
	is a student in full-time education or a child in full-time non-advanced education.
	is aged 16 or 17 and in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
	is engaged in, and receives an allowance for, work-based training.
	is a prisoner.
	has been in hospital for at least 52 weeks and receives a benefit where entitlement is reduced after a stay in hospital of this duration.
	is in a care home or independent hospital, is entitled to benefit, and receives assistance from a local authority with some or all of the care home's or hospital's accommodation costs.
	Currently available management information, does not allow me to answer your question in full. The number of new scheme calculations that initially resulted in a nil liability each month from February 2005, the date from which information is available, is in the table below.
	I hope you find this helpful.
	
		Number of initial new scheme maintenance calculations resulting in nil liability in each month since February 2005
		
			 Month Number of initial calculations resulting in a nil liability 
		
		
			 February 2005 1,300 
			 March 2005 1,300 
			 April 2005 1,300 
			 May 2005 1,300 
			 June 2005 1,400 
			 July 2005 1,400 
			 August 2005 1,500 
			 September 2005 1,400 
			 October 2005 1,600 
			 November 2005 1,900 
			 December 2005 1,500 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures exclude new scheme cases where an initial calculation has been progressed clerically.
	2. These figures only include cases that were initially nil calculated, and excludes cases resulting in a nil assessment as a result of a change in circumstance.
	3. Figures are rounded to nearest hundred.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the debt arrears reduction target is for the Child Support Agency for (a) 200506 and (b) 200607; and what the outstanding debt was in each month since 1 January 2004.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the debt arrears reduction target is for the Child Support Agency for (a) 200506 and (b) 200607; and what the outstanding debt was in each month since 1st January 2004.
	The Agency has a Secretary of State target to collect arrears equivalent to 30% of the amount of arrears over regular maintenance accrued for the 200506 reporting year, against which performance as at December 2005 stood at 37%. The package of targets for the reporting year 200607 are still in the process of being finalised, the details of which will be published later this year.
	The outstanding debt in each month since 1 January 2004 is in the table below:
	
		
			 Outstanding debt  billion 
		
		
			 January 2004 2.897 
			 February 2004 2.977 
			 March 2004 2.981 
			 April 2004 3.022 
			 May 2004 3.037 
			 June 2004 3.063 
			 July 2004 3.088 
			 August 2004 3.111 
			 September 2004 3.132 
			 October 2004 3.152 
			 November 2004 3.175 
			 December 2004 3.197 
			 January 2005 3.219 
			 February 2005 3.239 
			 March 2005 3.253 
			 April 2005 3.283 
			 May 2005 3.308 
			 June 2005 3.326 
			 July 2005 3.348 
			 August 2005 3.371 
			 September 2005 3.396 
			 October 2005 3.419 
			 November 2005 3.438 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The debt balance shows the total debt outstanding on both CSCS and CS2 systems and includes debt for all case assessment types.
	2. Each month the debt is calculated on a cumulative basis from launch, so the figure shown in the response for November 2005 is the total Agency debt from launch.
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions the Child Support Agency has paid compensation of amounts of over 1,000 for errors by the agency to parents (a) with and (b) without custody in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions the Child Support Agency has paid compensation of amounts of over 1,000 for errors by the agency to parents (a) with and (b) without custody in each of the last five years.
	The Agency's Special Payments database does not hold information which differentiates between payments made to parents with care or non-resident parents. To provide this information would require clerical examination of individual cases.
	The Agency does not hold sufficiently robust information for dates before 1 December 2001. I apologise for this but can give you information on the umber of cases where a financial redress payment in excess of 1,000 has been paid between the period 1 December 2001 and 31 December 2005.
	The table below contains such information as is available.
	
		
			  Cases paid over 1,000 in each year since December 2001 to parents (both parents with care and non-resident parents) 
		
		
			 December 2001 to March 2002 (4 months) 109 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 357 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 385 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 846 
			 April 2005 to December 2005 (9 months) 752 
			 Total 2,449 
		
	
	The 846 cases paid over 1,000 in financial redress between April 04 and March 05 represented 0.06% of our total caseload of around 1.4m for that year.
	I hope this is helpful.

Child Support Agency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the evidential basis was for the decision to pass some of the debt collection for outstanding Child Support Agency cases to private companies.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 25 January 2006
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the evidential basis was for the decision to pass some of the debt collection for outstanding Child Support Agency cases to private companies.
	On 9 February Secretary of State announced that he will be making 30 million available to contract out some of the Child Support Agency's debt recovery. We expect this to result in a substantially increased recovery of the current debt owed to parents with care.
	We have carried out a market test and are encouraged that there is a market for this work. Since August 2005 the Agency has also been involved in a small scale Departmental pilot using two private debt collection companies to assess the feasibility of involving the private sector to recover Agency debt.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support Agency

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many formal complaints his Department has received regarding the Child Support Agency from people in Tamworth constituency in each year since it was created.

James Plaskitt: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Members for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Mr. Moore) and Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) on 25 October 2005, Official Report, column 279W.

Child Support Agency

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases in (a) Cambridgeshire and (b) Peterborough were in arrears in each year between 1997 and 2005.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Bone) on 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1985W.

Child Support Agency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what average length of time employees have worked for the Child Support Agency since 1 January 1998.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what average length of time employees have worked for the Child Support Agency since 1 January 1998.
	I cannot provide precisely the information you have requested as it is not possible to disaggregate all periods of employment within DWP to individual Agencies, or provide an average period from 1 January 1998. I am able to advise you that as at 31 December 2005 the Child Support Agency employed 10,649 Full Time Equivalent staff, with the average length of time worked for DWP being 11 years and 5 months.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Child Support Agency

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what settlement has been reached with the Child Support Agency IT system contractor in respect of the delivery of the CS2 System.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what settlement has been reached with the Child Support Agency IT system contractor in respect of the delivery of the CS2 System.
	Through the general contract realignment with EDS announced in August 2005, the Department addressed issued around the CS2 computer system. As a result EDS will deliver to current specifications and correct all agreed defects at no extra cost; in addition the Department expects to save around 65 million (net present value) in current projected spend on child support IT over the remaining period of the deal with EDS (August 2010).
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions the Child Support Agency breached an order by the Independent Case Examiner to perform a named task by a certain date in (a) 2003, (b) 2004, (c) 2005 and (d) 2006; and what powers the Independent Case Examiner has to enforce its orders to the Agency.

James Plaskitt: Following an investigation into a complaint, the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) will prepare a report of her findings for the complainant and the Child Support Agency (CSA). The report may include recommendations for redress to be given by the Agency, such as;
	An apology;
	assurance;
	An explanation;
	Specific action to put matters right;
	Financial redress; or
	A change in process.
	The Agency will ensure that all recommendations are implemented in accordance with the implementation plans. In circumstances where the CSA is unable to agree recommendations, a full written explanation for the decision will be provided, and an opportunity given for the ICE to discuss the case with the CSA Board should she require.
	The following table shows the number of recommendations made by ICE, and how many the Agency cleared during the same period. No figures are available for pre-August 2004.
	
		
			  2004 August-December 2005 2006 January 
		
		
			 Recommendations made by ICE 722 1,541 80 
			 Recommendations cleared 806 1,484 132 
			 Recommendations cleared within timescales 548 1,194 103 
			 % recommendations cleared within timescales 68 80 78 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures above do not include CSA Northern Ireland cases.
	2. Multiple recommendations for special payments which are made on the same case, will be counted as one recommendation.
	3. The figures above relate to recommendations made following a full investigation by ICE.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the decision was first made to use private debt collectors for Child Support Agency cases; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 30 January 2006
	The Secretary of State agreed as part of the Operational Improvement Plan to commit 30 million over the next three years, for private debt collection.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of child support new scheme cases concern (a) parents with care on income support or income-related jobseeker's allowance, (b) parents with care not on income support or income-related jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of child support new scheme cases concern (a) parents with care on income support or income related jobseeker's allowance (b) parents with care not on income support or income-related jobseeker's allowance.
	In May 2005, there were 106,000 (46%) new scheme cases with a calculation where the parent with care (PWC) was currently on income support or income-related jobseeker's allowance, with 124,000 (54%) not on these benefits. This information is obtained through linking Child Support administrative data with that from the benefits system (for which May 2005 is the latest data available).
	The management information currently available does not enable me to provide the benefit status of those new scheme cases which have yet to reach a calculation (of which there were 232,000 in total in December 2005).
	I hope you find this information useful.

European Court of Human Rights

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in settling the 340 cases lodged by widowers at the European Court of Human Rights prior to May 2005.

James Plaskitt: Of the 340 cases, action has begun on 311 cases with 298 of these cases having been fully assessed.
	266 of the widowers, or the representatives of the widowers, have been issued with a payment or informed that a settlement will not be offered. The remaining 32 cases are in the process of having offers negotiated with their representatives.

Welfare Reform Green Paper

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when an accessible version of the Green Paper, A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work, will be published; and whether there will be an extension to the consultation deadline for those requiring the accessible version of the paper.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 2 February 2006
	We launched our Welfare Reform Green Paper, A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work, on 24 January. Since then, over 2,500 copies have been distributed.
	We are also producing alternative versions of the Green Paperword, braille, audio, large print, easy-read and Welsh language. People can request copies of these via our email and telephone contact points. The braille, audio and large print versions have already been distributed, and we took delivery of the Welsh language version on 15 February.
	It does take time to prepare the easy read version in a properly accessible format, with appropriate illustrations. The first draft of that version has been approved and the final version will be with us on 27 February 2006. Given this delay, we will respond sensibly and sensitively to individuals who require additional time to make their response. We also have a telephone helpline to provide one-to-one advice to individuals and organisations in understanding our proposals.
	Ministers and officials worked closely with the stakeholder community over the past year in developing our proposalswe will continue to do so.

Welfare Reform Green Paper

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Green Paper on Welfare Reform, what proportion of the one million incapacity benefits recipients that he estimates can be returned to work over a decade he expects to be (a) new claimants and (b) existing claimants.

Margaret Hodge: We are currently working towards a public service agreement target to increase employment among disabled people and reduce the employment gap between those living with a disability and the rest of the population by 2008.
	We have now, as part of our overall goal of achieving 80 per cent. employment, added an aspiration to reduce by one million the number of people receiving incapacity benefits over 10 years. Our proposals for achieving this aspiration are outlined in the Welfare Reform Green Paper; A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work.
	We have not defined the target between new and existing claimants.

Welfare Reform Green Paper

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made an assessment of the merits of introducing a single working age benefit for all people of working age not in employment; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: In the Green Paper: A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work we have said that there may be advantages in moving towards a single system of benefits for all people of working age. We shall be examining how we can move to a simpler, single system effectively and fairly while continuing to provide value for the taxpayer.

Housing Benefit

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of housing benefit there were in each local authority in Hampshire in the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by electoral ward; and what total amount was paid in each case.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available at ward level. The most recent available expenditure is for 200203. The available information is in the tables.
	
		Housing benefit (HB) claimants in Hampshire by local authority: August 2003 to August 2005
		
			  August 2003 August 2004 August 2005 
		
		
			 Basingstoke and Deane 6,200 6,500 6,800 
			 East Hampshire 3,400 3,600 3,700 
			 Eastleigh 4,100 4,200 4,300 
			 Fareham 2,400 2,600 2,700 
			 Gosport 3,900 4,200 4,300 
			 Hart 1,700 1,800 1,900 
			 Havant 3,900 4,100 4,300 
			 New Forest 6,400 6,700 6,700 
			 Portsmouth 15,400 16,300 16,800 
			 Rushmoor 3,500 3,900 4,100 
			 Southampton 16,600 17,600 17,900 
			 Test Valley 3,900 4,100 4,300 
			 Winchester 4,000 4,200 4,300 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	Figures for any non-responding local authorities have been estimated.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken between August 2003 and August 2005.
	
		Housing benefit expenditure 200203: nominal terms
		
			   million 
		
		
			 Basingstoke and Deane 23.1 
			 East Hampshire 12.6 
			 Eastleigh 14.4 
			 Fareham 9.3 
			 Gosport 12.9 
			 Hart 6.2 
			 Havant 15.5 
			 New Forest 23.3 
			 Portsmouth 56.0 
			 Rushmoor 12.5 
			 Southampton 54.6 
			 Test Valley 13.6 
			 Winchester 14.6 
		
	
	Source:
	DWP expenditure tables.

Housing Benefit

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many instances there have been of housing benefit being suspended due to a tenant's failure to pay rent in each year since 2000; and in how many cases local authorities then redirected housing benefit payments directly to a landlord at the landlord's request.

James Plaskitt: Housing benefit is not, and has never been, suspended if a tenant fails to pay their rent.
	Currently regulations require that where a tenant in receipt of housing benefit has accrued eight weeks' or more rent arrears, benefit should then be paid direct to their landlord. Although the Department records data for the overall number of rent allowance cases where payment is direct to the landlord, we are not able to identify the reason for direct payments being made.
	The Department has been undertaking more detailed research in those local authorities which have been testing the local housing allowance. Information collected to date suggests that around 85 per cent. of local housing allowance claims are being paid direct to the tenants. Of the 15 per cent. who are having their rent paid to the landlord, 9 per cent. are on the grounds of the tenant being assessed as unable or unlikely to pay on their own behalf and 6 per cent. on the grounds of rent arrears.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will commission new research into the impact of the non-dependant deduction regime on (a) maladministration in the housing benefit system, (b) work incentives and (c) poverty among claimants.

James Plaskitt: There are currently no plans to commission new research into the various impacts of the non-dependent deduction regime, although these issues will be considered as part of the Department's continuing programme of work to reform housing benefit.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 590W, on benefits, if he will list the organisations who (a) supported and (b) opposed the simplification or reform of the housing benefit non-dependant deduction regime proposed in the Housing Green Paper.

James Plaskitt: The information is no longer available.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of not imposing housing benefit non-dependant deductions where this would leave non-dependants with an income below income support level.

James Plaskitt: The cost estimate in annually managed expenditure of not imposing housing benefit non-dependant deductions where this would leave non-dependants with an income of below income support levels is 22 million per year.
	Notes:
	1. Income support level was interpreted to mean 56.20 (those aged 25 or over).
	2. The cost is rounded to the nearest 1 million and is for Great Britain.
	3. The impact is estimated using the Department's Policy Simulation Model for 200506, using data from the 200304 Family Resources Survey up-rated to 200506 prices, benefit rates and earnings levels, and is calibrated to latest published forecasts and policies.
	4. Results are subject to sampling and reporting errors and estimation assumptions, and are therefore indicative only. No behavioural changes are assumed.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of capping the maximum housing benefit non-dependant deduction at 50 per cent. of the rent due.

James Plaskitt: The cost estimate in annually managed expenditure such that all the non-dependants would not be required to contribute more than 50 per cent. of the eligible rent is 37 million per year.
	Notes:
	1. The cost is rounded to the nearest 1 million and is for Great Britain.
	2. The impact is estimated using the Department's Policy Simulation Model for 200506 using data from the 200304 Family Resources Survey up-rated to 200506 prices, benefit rates and earnings levels, and is calibrated to latest published forecasts and policies.
	3. Results are subject to sampling and reporting errors and estimation assumptions, and are therefore indicative only. No behavioural changes are assumed.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the new proposal for housing benefit sanctions on family members of a person committing antisocial behaviour who were not themselves responsible for antisocial behaviour;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the future accommodation prospects of those evicted for antisocial behaviour who have had their housing benefit reduced as a result of refusing to take up help to address their behaviour;
	(3)  what assessment his Department has made of the impact of housing benefit sanctions on the behaviour of people who commit antisocial behaviour;
	(4)  what assessment his Department has made of the impact of housing benefit sanctions on the administration of housing benefit;
	(5)  whether he plans to consult on the proposal to introduce housing benefit for those people who have been evicted for antisocial behaviour.

James Plaskitt: The Government announced in the Respect Action Plan, published on 10 January, that it is considering the use of sanctions to ensure that those households who are evicted for antisocial behaviour take up help offered to them.
	Sanctions could include financial penalties or housing benefit measures. We believe this would provide a very strong incentive to encourage these households to undertake rehabilitation when they have refused other offers of help. We are currently assessing this idea more fully.
	We will be consulting with the relevant bodies, stakeholders and experts in the normal way during consideration of this measure. As the number of people likely to be affected is very small, we are not planning a formal written consultation.
	If we were to decide to take it forward, the measure would be piloted first in a small number of areas, allowing us to evaluate the impact and assess lessons learned.

Incapacity Benefit

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the most common medical reasons why incapacity benefit claimants in Gravesham constituency are in receipt of the benefit.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB) severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants in the Gravesham parliamentary constituency as at May 2005, broken down by diagnoses group
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All Diagnoses 3,500 
			 Neoplasms 100 
			 Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases 100 
			 Mental and Behavioural Disorders 1,200 
			 Diseases of the Nervous System 200 
			 Diseases of the Circulatory System 200 
			 Diseases of the Respiratory System 100 
			 Diseases of the Digestive System 100 
			 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system and Connective Tissue 700 
			 Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified 500 
			 Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes 200 
			 All other Diagnoses 200 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2. Claimant figures include all IB and SDA, including IB credits only cases.
	3. All diagnoses are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, published by the World Health Organisation.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.

Incapacity Benefit

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in receipt of incapacity benefit in Easington constituency are aged (a) under 20, (b) 20 to 24, (c) 25 to 29, (d) 30 to 34, (e) 35 to 39, (f) 40 to 44, (g) 45 to 49, (h) 50 to 54, (i) 55 to 59 and (j) 60 to 64 years.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the table.
	
		Female incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants in the Easington parliamentary constituency; August 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All ages 4,100 
			 Under 20 100 
			 20 to 24 200 
			 25 to 29 200 
			 30 to 34 300 
			 35 to 39 400 
			 40 to 44 500 
			 45 to 49 600 
			 50 to 54 700 
			 55 to 59 900 
			 60 to 64  
			 65 and over 100 
		
	
	=nil or negligible.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2. 'Claimant figures include all IB and SDA, including IB credits only cases.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.

Incapacity Benefit

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether those placed on the holding benefit referred to in the Green Paper on reform of incapacity benefit are expected to be entitled to free prescriptions.

Margaret Hodge: Our policy intention is that people who qualify for the income-related element of the employment and support allowance would qualify for free NHS prescriptions as someone in receipt of income support would now. However, the final decision on this matter rests with the Department of Health, and the Scottish and Welsh Executives.

IT Projects

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the information technology projects being undertaken by his Department and associated agencies; what the (a) start date, (b) planned completion date, (c) current expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) current estimated cost is of each; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not differentiate between information technology projects and other types of projects such as business change. Currently, the Department has in excess of 100 individual projects that embrace both information technology and business change. The entire programme of work is complex and the Department utilises considerable expertise to manage and develop strategies for maximising the success of technology projects. We also make use of lessons learned from previous project implementations to maximise the effectiveness of project delivery.
	The following tables provide the information on the Department's major projects based predominantly on IT change.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Customer Management System October 2001 November 2005 November 2005 250 
		
	
	Purpose:
	This system allows the information supplied by working age customers to be gathered electronically by staff, improving efficiency and customer service.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Benefit Processing Replacement Programme (Watch 2) December 2003 October 2006 TBA TBA 
		
	
	Purpose:
	The programme enables modernised benefit processing, effective fraud management and improved service to employers. It provides the strategic IT platform for the Department providing the foundation for future policy initiatives.
	As part of the programme's governance it attended a agate on Monday 6 February 2006. At this gate a number of options for progressing the programme were presented. The gate reserved its decision and asked the programme to:
	1. Return to a gate in four months time having considered the impact of the Welfare Reform Green Paper; and
	2. Continue its investment programme until the next gate by progressing work in areas common to all options presented.
	Agreed forecast costs and completion date is dependant upon this decision.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Pensions Transformation Project January 2002 2006 Wave 1a November 2005; Waves 1b, 2a and 2b by March 2008; Waves 35 by 2010 659 
		
	
	Purpose:
	The programme will transform the way that the Pension Service delivers its business. This will bring significant improvements and convenience for pensioners as well as benefits to the taxpayer in terms of efficiencies. The original programme was planned to be delivered in five waves of change (learning lessons from other programmes of change) between 2002 and 2006. The first phase of the first wave of change involving new state pension claim processes was deployed in three pension centres between August and November 2005. The next phase involving all pension centres for new customer applications for state pension and pension credit will commence July 2006.
	Following re-planning of the delivery of the programme it was agreed that the three latter waves of change would be delivered more affordably over a longer period. The first two more significant waves will be completed by March 2008. The final waves 35 will be completed by 2010.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Customer Information System July 2003 July 2007 July 2007 83 
		
	
	Purpose:
	This project will deliver a database of key citizen information to be shared across DWP. The database will complement information currently available in the Department's key customer information systems, ie Personal Details Computer System and Departmental Central Index, and become their replacement.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Resource Management April 2001 September 2006 September 2006 169 
		
	
	Purpose:
	Will provide modernised HR, financial and procurement functions for the Department. Automated data and processes to save time and resources. The new processes are currently being tested.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Debt Management November 2000 April 2005 February 2006 106 
		
	
	Purpose:
	To bring increased focus to the management, recovery and accounting of benefit debt owed to the department. Negotiations with developers and suppliers of the key system, debt manager, took longer than first planned and this impacted the training and data migration work. These changes were approved through standard project governance at a project gate. However, by the end of February 2006, the process of migrating work into debt centres will be complete. Despite the 10 month delay, the Debt Programme will be delivered over 10 million (9.5 per cent.) under the original financial forecast.
	
		
			 Project Start date Planned end date Current expected completion date Current forecast (cost  million)(70) 
		
		
			 Central Payments System (formerly part of Payment Modernisation) April 2004 September 2009 September 2009 117 
		
	
	Purpose:
	New payment processing IT functionality is required to support the DWP to process payments for new entitlement management and financial scheduling systems.
	1 The current forecast cost column is the latest forecast of the total cost of the project implementation.
	Notes:
	1. Expenditure on projects is formally approved by the Departments governance process and authorised through review gates. These reviews ensure that projects are meeting the standards we expect (including business change, technical and commercial criteria) before authority to progress to the next stage of their development. It is only when the reviews are complete that the next stage funding is authorised.
	2. Project details may alter as they pass through the project lifecycle. This may mean that the scope of a project is changed as a result of the development of a project's plans. Changes in scope may shorten the time for completion of a project or lengthen it. It may also increase or decrease the total costs of a project or change the year in which expenditure is planned to be incurred. All such changes are subject to scrutiny by the Department's governance processes and requires appropriate approvals before being adopted within the project's plans. This is more likely early in a projects lifecycle however projects later in the cycle are not immune to these changes. All of these issues are in the ordinary course for a project, but especially so for large IT based projects.
	3. Additionally the Department had a Private Finance Initiative contract for the provision of IT services to the Child Support Agency worth approximately 456 million over 10 years. This contract commenced in August 2000 with a ten year duration to August 2010. Under a general realignment of Departmental contracts announced in August 2005, EDS will complete the system as currently specified, including correcting all agreed defects. The revised contract still has a completion date of August 2010 and the department expects to save around 65 million (net present value basis) in Child Support information technology costs over the remaining period of the deal with EDS.

Mystery Shopper Exercises

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on mystery shopper exercises in each of the last three financial years.

Stephen Timms: The Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus are the only agencies of the Department that utilise a Mystery Shopping programme.
	The available information is in the following tables.
	
		The Pension Service
		
			 Reporting year Paid () 
		
		
			 200203 (70)15,280 
			 200304 (70)17,625 
			 200405 383,001 
		
	
	(70) Pilot exercises only. From April 2004 the Pension Service started a full programme of mystery shopping across the UK.
	
		Jobcentre Plus
		
			 Reporting year Paid () 
		
		
			 200203 693,709 
			 200304 677,768 
			 200405 693,173 
		
	
	Both agencies are improving contract specifications to ensure expenditure efficiencies and the best service is provided to its customers.

National Pensions Savings Scheme

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has held with the Financial Services Authority on the proposed National Pensions Savings Scheme.

Stephen Timms: DWP officials have regular contact with the FSA. The Government are considering the recommendations within the Pensions Commission's report which include the National Pensions Savings Scheme. The Government are committed to consulting with the public and key stakeholders on the key issues, as part of the national pensions debate. The Government plan to bring forward its own proposals for reform in a White Paper in the spring. At this stage nothing has been ruled in and nothing has been ruled out. In developing these proposals the Government will take associated regulatory considerations into account.

Non-resident Parents

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review the regulations which state that non-resident parents receiving jobseeker's allowance pay a portion for their children through the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: We believe that all parents are responsible for maintaining their children and this includes non-resident parents receiving jobseeker's allowance.
	The new scheme introduced the flat rate of 5 a week maintenance payments for any number of children. It applies to most non-resident parents who get a wide range of benefits, including jobseeker's allowance, or who have a net income of 100 a week or less.

Pension Payments (Processing)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average cost is of processing a pension payment by (a) cheque, (b) post office card and (c) a bank account.

James Plaskitt: Currently, the average cost to DWP of issuing a pension payment by (a) cheque is about 1.70 (b) Post Office card account is about 1.00, and (c) a normal or basic bank account is about 0.01.

Pension Service

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Pension Service has provided information including name and address to commercial or other organisations regarding people reaching pensionable age since 2001.

Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions holds its customers information in the strictest confidence. Personal information, which includes dates of birth, is not provided to commercial or other organisations without the customer's prior consent, in accordance with social security and data protection legislation.
	We will only pass information to third parties if specific legislation permits us to do so, or if the benefit of disclosure outweighs the duty of confidence we owe to the customer concerned, such as disclosure of information to the police to prevent or detect crime.

Pensioners

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of old age pensioners have reported (a) that they experience difficulty in claiming their pensions and (b) that they do not fully understand what benefits are available.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available.

Pensioners

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have had their income raised above the poverty level since 1997 in (a) Stoke-on-Trent South constituency and (b) the UK.

Stephen Timms: The seventh annual Opportunity for all report (Cm 6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators.
	(a) Information on the number of people over state pension age in low income is not available below regional level. The table gives estimates for the West Midlands.
	
		Number of people in the West Midlands over state pension age in low income -- Million
		
			  Relative Low Income Absolute Low Income 
			  After housing costs Before housing costs After housing costs Before housing costs 
		
		
			 199596 to 199798 0.25 0.22 0.26 0.22 
			 200102 to 200304 0.23 0.24 0.11 0.15 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are provided using a three-year rolled average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide to year-on-year changes. Hence, figures are not consistent with previously published single-year estimates and there may be differences in changes over time. In circumstances such as a change in trend, rolled averages will show less variation than single-year estimates.
	2. Table shows number of people over state pension age in millions rounded to the nearest 10 thousand.
	3. In this answer relative low income is defined as individuals living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. f the contemporary GB median. Absolute low income gives the numbers living in households below 60 per cent. of 199697 median income held constant in real terms.
	(b) Between 199697 and 200304 the number of people over state pension age in Great Britain who were in relative low income fell by 700,000, and the number in absolute low income fell by 1.9 million measured after housing costs. The table gives the number and percentage of people over state pension age living in households in relative and absolute low income.
	
		Number of people in Great Britain over state pension age in low income -- Million
		
			  Relative Low Income Absolute Low Income 
			  After housing costs Before housing costs After housing costs Before housing costs 
		
		
			 199596 to 199798 2.8 2.2 2.8 2.2 
			 200102 to 200304 2.0 2.2 0.9 1.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for Great Britainthe Family Resources Survey did not cover Northern Ireland until 200203;
	2. In this answer relative low income is defined as individuals living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median. Absolute low income gives the numbers living in households below 60 per cent. of 199697 median income held constant in real terms.
	3. The fall in the number of pensioners in relative low income after housing costs between 199697 and 200304 is 700,000this does not match with the numbers in the table (2.8 million and 2.0 million) because of rounding.

Pensions

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints his Department has received about the chip and pin pension card since its introduction.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the form requested. Over 11 million pensioners are paid by direct payment. It is not possible to say how many complaints were specifically about the post office card account.

Post Office Card Account

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department have made of the cost of the Post Office card account scheme in each year until 2010; and what the costs have been in each year since the scheme's establishment.

James Plaskitt: The annual cost of the Post Office card account for the first three years from April 2003 averaged 173 million.
	The estimated cost of the Post Office card account from April 2006 to March 2010 is between 190 million and 200 million per year based on the current volume of customers.

Post Office Card Account

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people hold a Post Office card account in the Easington constituency.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Information available as at 24 December 2005, shows that 14,300 DWP benefit and pension payment accounts were being paid by direct payment into Post Office card accounts in the parliamentary constituency of Easington. This figure does not include post office accounts used by other Government Departments to pay benefits and tax credits.
	Note
	The figures refers to benefit and pension payment accounts live and in payment on the specified date. People in receipt of more than one benefit/pension have been counted for each separate benefit/pension in payment. People who have their benefit/pension combined and paid at the same time have only been counted through the paying benefit.

Post Office Card Account

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many post office card account holders there were (a) at the end of March (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: There were 834,773 post office card accounts in use at March 2004, 4,183,659 at March 2005 and 4,270,412 at December 2005.
	In addition to accounts used by my Department, these figures include post office card accounts used by the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency, the Veterans Agency (Ministry of Defence) and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Post Office Card Account

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value of benefits paid out via the Post Office Card Account was in 200506; and what the estimate is for 200607.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The value of DWP benefits and pensions paid through the Post Office card account from 1 April to 31 December 2005 is 16,912,270,398.
	To date no estimates have been made for the value of payments for 200607 that will be paid through the Post Office card account.

Post Office Card Account

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to the Government was of setting up the Post Office card account system; and what the annual expenditure on maintaining it has been.

James Plaskitt: Contributions towards the setting up of the Post Office card account is one of the elements included in the contract costs but detailed information on these costs is a commercial matter for the Post Office and its suppliers.
	The annual cost of the Post Office card account for the first three years from April 2003 averaged 173 million.

Post Office Card Account

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Beverley and Holderness use the Post Office card account to collect pensions and benefits.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Information available at 24 December 2005 shows that 7,200 DWP benefit and pension payment accounts were being paid by direct payment into Post Office card accounts in the parliamentary constituency of Beverley and Holderness. This figure does not include Post Office card accounts used by other Government Departments to pay benefits and tax credits.
	Note
	The figure refers to benefit and pension payment accounts live and in payment on the specified date. People in receipt of more than one benefit/pension have been counted for each separate benefit/pension in payment. People who have their benefit/pension combined and paid at the same time have only been counted through the paying benefit.

Post Office Card Account

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Manchester, Withington, use a Post Office card account to receive (a) state retirement pension, (b) pension credit and (c) other benefits.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The following table shows the number of DWP benefit and pension payment accounts that were being paid by direct payment into a Post Office card account at 24 December 2005.These figures do not include Post Office card accounts used by other Government Departments to pay benefits and tax credits.
	
		Parliamentary constituencyWithington, Manchester
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 State retirement pension 2,000 
			 Pension credit 1,600 
			 Other benefits 3,000 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	Figures refer to benefit and pension payment accounts live and in payment on the specified date. People in receipt of more than one benefit/pension have been counted for each separate benefit/pension in payment. People who have their benefit/pension combined and paid at the same time have only been counted through the paying benefit.

Post Office Card Account

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department in relation to the development and introduction of the Post Office card account.

James Plaskitt: Detailed information on the costs associated with the development and introduction of Post Office card account is a commercial matter for the Post Office and its suppliers.
	The annual cost to the department of the Post Office card account for each of the first three years from April 2003 averaged 173 million.

Post Office Card Account

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the criteria his Department will use to select recipients of pension and benefits to be contacted during the three pilot schemes that his Department are operating during February to test the approaches for moving recipients of pensions and benefits away from Post Office card accounts; and if he will place in the Library copies of the letters or leaflets his Department sends to those selected.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 6 February 2006
	Those participating in the pilots will be randomly selected from a small number of existing customers who currently have their benefit or pension paid into a Post Office card account and those making a new claim for a benefit or pension.
	Copies of relevant letters will be placed in the Library.

Social Security Fraud

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the annual cost to public funds of social security fraud in West Lancashire in each of the last three years.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available at constituency level.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Advisory Committee on Pesticides

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the advice of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides that compulsory five metre buffer lanes to reduce the impact from pesticide spray drift are unnecessary.

Elliot Morley: The Government are currently considering all the recommendations in the report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) on Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders including the suggested 5m buffer zone. These deliberations will take account of the advice from scientific committees including the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Department of Health's Committee on Toxicity, Committee on Carcinogenicity and Committee on Mutagenicity. The Government aim to publish a response to the RCEP by the summer.

Air Quality

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards bringing the standard of air quality in the parts of Denton and Reddish constituency designated as an air quality management area to within the guideline limits.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities have a duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas. Where local authorities consider that one or more of the nationally prescribed air quality objectives for each of the seven pollutants is unlikely to be met by the relevant deadline, they must declare an air quality management area (AQMA), covering the area where the problem is expected. These local authorities must then take action, along with other agencies and organisations, to work towards meeting the air quality objectives.
	Tameside MBC first declared AQMAs for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and particles (PM 1 0 ) in July 2001 and these were superseded by declaration of a single AQMA in September 2005 for NO 2 and PM 1 0 which covered a number of major roads. Tameside and the other Greater Manchester local authorities produced a joint air quality action plan which was publicly consulted upon in June 2004; my Department also commented on the plan. Tameside are now implementing measures to work towards meeting the air quality objectives. Tameside submitted an action plan progress report in September 2005 which reported that they were on schedule in implementing the majority of their 31 measures and that progress had been made on key measures such as implementation of quality bus corridor measures.
	Greater Manchester authorities are now working closely with transport planners in finalising the new Local Transport Plan (LTP) which is due in March 2006. Including measures within the LTP should also help increase the capacity to deliver cleaner air within the AQMAs.
	The Government are also currently undertaking a review of the air quality strategy to identify potential new additional measures to move us closer to meeting the air quality objectives and generate cost-effective health benefits.

Air Quality

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of air quality standards in Denton and Reddish constituency.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities have a duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas. Guidance on reviews and assessments are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/lagm/guidance/index.htm and http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/lagm/guidance/pdf/lagm-tg03.pdf.
	Tameside submitted their last updating and screening assessment in December 2003. Tameside also carried out a detailed assessment in respect of nitrogen dioxide and particles (PM 1 0 ) between October 2003 to July 2004 and they submitted a progress report in September 2005. Tameside subsequently amended their AQMA in September 2005. The next round of review and assessments has now started and local authorities are asked to submit a new updating and screening assessment by end of April 2006. Copies of all the review and assessment reports are available from the following contact at Tameside MBC gary.mongan@tameside. gov.uk.

Air Quality

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to improve air quality in Shrewsbury town centre.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government are committed to delivering cleaner air, and action is being taken at international, national and local level to tackle air pollution. We are involved in a number of international and European fora in dealing with air quality issues. For example, we are currently negotiating in Europe further reductions to stringent Euro V emission standards for light duty vehicles. We are also currently negotiating the newly proposed European air quality directive.
	Nationally, we are undertaking a review of the air quality strategy to identify potential new additional measures to move us closer to meeting the national air quality objectives and generate cost-effective health benefits.
	At the local level, local authorities also have a role to play in helping the Government deliver cleaner air. Where local authorities consider that one or more of the nationally prescribed air quality objectives is unlikely to be met by the relevant deadline, they must declare an air quality management area (AQMA), covering the area where the problem is expected. These local authorities must then take action, along with other agencies and organisations, to work towards meeting the air quality objectives.
	Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council declared three AQMAs in respect of nitrogen dioxide due to road traffic which came into effect on 1 May 2003 and they have recently amended one AQMA to include most of the town centre which will come into effect on 1 March 2006. Shrewsbury and Atcham are currently developing their air quality action plan, which will set out measures to work towards meeting the air quality objective.
	Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council are now also working closely with Shropshire county council in finalising the new Local Transport Plan (LTP) which is due in March 2006. Including measures within the LTP should also help increase the capacity to deliver cleaner air within the AQMAs. Shropshire county council have also been awarded 480,000 pump-priming funding from the Transport Innovation Fund to explore innovative ways to tackle congestion, including road user charging, in Shrewsbury.

Air Quality

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of air quality standards in each London borough.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities have a duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas. Guidance on reviews and assessments are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/laqm/guidance/index.htm and http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/laqm/guidance/pdf/laqm-tg03.pdf
	The Mayor has responsibility for ensuring the Local Air Quality Management regime is undertaken appropriately by London boroughs.
	Local authorities are expected to undertake air quality reviews and assessments every three years. The last round of reviews and assessments started in 2003 and London boroughs had to submit their Updating and Screening Assessments by December 2003, and they were expected to submit either a Detailed Assessment (where further investigation was required) or a Progress Report by December 2004. All local authorities were expected to submit additional Progress Reports in April 2005. Copies of all the review and assessment reports are available from each of the London boroughs. The next round of local authority review and assessments has now started and local authorities are asked to submit a new Updating and Screening Assessment by end of April 2006.
	At present, 31 of the 33 London boroughs have declared air quality management areas and those boroughs have either produced air quality action plans or are in the process of developing one. All boroughs are therefore at various stages within the review and assessment process.
	Air Quality Management Areas have been declared for nitrogen dioxide and PM10. The majority of borough action plans and the Mayor have identified the development of a Low Emission Zone within London as a key action in the delivery of improved air quality.
	All London boroughs undertake air quality monitoring and therefore keep a regular check on levels of air pollutants in their areas. My Department also has a national air quality automatic urban and rural monitoring network (AURN) to monitor air pollution levels across the UK. There are 24 AURN sites across London: of these 14 are owned by the London boroughs. All the data from these sites are recorded on an annual basis and are available from the National Air Quality Information Archive at www.airquality.co.uk

Air Quality

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of air quality standards in West Lancashire constituency.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities have a duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas.
	Guidance on reviews and assessments are available at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/laqm/guidance/index.htm.
	West Lancashire district council submitted their last Updating and Screening Assessment in June 2003. They submitted a Progress Report in May 2004. Subsequent to this report, the requirement to carry out a Detailed Assessment for nitrogen dioxide was identified. My officials understand that West Lancashire DC currently expect to complete the Detailed Assessment by April 2006, at which time a decision will be made as to whether they will be required to declare an Air Quality Management Area.
	The next round of review and assessments has now started and all local authorities are asked to submit a new Updating and Screening Assessment by end of April 2006. Copies of all the aforementioned review and assessment reports are available from the Environmental Protection Manager at West Lancashire DC: a.hill@westlancsdc.gov.uk.

Avian Influenza

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to monitor flocks of under 50 birds not included in the Great Britain Poultry Register for signs of avian influenza.

Ben Bradshaw: We are actively encouraging owners of less than 50 birds to register their flocks under the GB Poultry Register, because this will help us to communicate with them as effectively as possible.
	However, we have madeand continue to makeclose contact with poultry keepers of all sizes. Everyone keeping poultry should follow the biosecurity advice that has been made available, and take commonsense hygiene precautions as a barrier to disease.

Avian Influenza

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk of avian influenza being spread by gamebirds raised for commercial shooting; and whether gamebirds will be registered on the Great Britain Poultry Register.

Ben Bradshaw: Gamebirds reared or kept in captivity will be treated in the same way as other kinds of poultry. They need to be registered in the same way. And they will be subject to the same kinds of movements restrictions in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Badgers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many badgers (a) culled and (b) examined as part of the road traffic accident trial were diagnosed with bovine TB in each local authority area; and what proportion of badgers culled and examined these figures represent.

Ben Bradshaw: No badgers were culled as part of the Road Traffic Accident Survey. Rather, it was designed to establish if the level of bovine TB infection in dead badgers, collected from road accidents, reflected disease prevalence in the wider badger population in an area. This has been done by comparing survey data with findings from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT).
	Post mortem examinations were carried out on 3,769 badgers during the course of the survey and results show that around one in seven of these animals had TB (based on 200204 figures). The overall prevalence figures were 17 per cent. in 2002 (95 per cent. confidence interval (CI) 1421 per cent.), 13 per cent. in 2003 (95 per cent. CI 1015 per cent.) and 15 per cent. in 2003 (95 per cent. CI 1318 per cent.). Not enough badgers were collected, however, to allow parish-level prevalence estimates to be made.
	The results of the RBCT are still being collected and analysed by the Independent Scientific Group (ISG), which is responsible for it. The detailed information requested has not yet been made available, but figures from the initial proactive culls in all 10 RBCT areas showed prevalence ranged from 2 per cent. to 38 per cent.

Badgers

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being undertaken to evaluate the various means of gassing badgers; and what assessment her Department has made of the minimum time period required before a strategic culling of badgers by gassing could be implemented.

Ben Bradshaw: We are currently consulting on both the principle and method of a badger culling policy. No decisions have yet been made.
	However, a review undertaken for the consultation (http://defraweb/corporate/consult/badgers-tbcontrols/index.htm) identified sett-based fumigation, using carbon monoxide (CO) gas, as a possible feasible and humane technique. The main issue in relation to humaneness and effectiveness is that lethal concentrations of CO gas will be attained quickly throughout most parts of any sett. If that can be achieved then concerns .about sub-lethal dosing, either with CO or other contaminants in the exhaust gases, will be reduced because toxic concentrations of gas will kill quickly. Work is currently underway to assess this.
	While some early results from this work should be available by the end of March, the delivery of the full report, with any recommendations for future work, should be ready by May 2006. If the model is validated then this will allow us to predict the risks and effectiveness of different strategies. If the model proposed in the consultation is not validated then the data from the field trials will allow determination of whether using a suitable, de-tuned, vehicle petrol engine is a viable method of producing lethal concentrations under specific circumstances. If the trial work demonstrates that lethal concentrations can be achieved through most of a sett, then there may be confidence in gassing as a technique for killing badgers during 2006. However, further work is very likely to be needed to ensure, efficient and safe mechanisms for delivery of gas. Data supporting the use of CO will also need to be submitted for approval as a vertebrate control agent. The earliest it is foreseen that this further research work could be completed would be March to May 2007.

Battery Cages

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that other EU member states are planning to implement EU council directive 1999/74 prohibiting conventional battery cages by 2012.

Ben Bradshaw: The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that Community legislation is properly implemented and enforced. The Food and Veterinary Office carries out inspections to check member states' compliance with EU standards on animal welfare.

Birds

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many locations in each county hold in excess of 40,000 birds.

Ben Bradshaw: We are aware of the locations of large poultry keepers and we are in close contact with them through the work we are doing to disseminate guidance on effective biosecurity arrangements, for example. Definitive information on which of these have more than 40,000 birds will be available once the deadline for registration under the Great Britain Poultry Register has passed on 28 February.

Bovine TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the success of governments since 1986 in eradicating bovine tuberculosis as required by EC Directive 77/391; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The long-term bovine TB trend in Great Britain (19862004) has been an 18 per cent. annual increase in confirmed new herd incidents.
	This Government are committed to action to control bovine TB. And the development of our framework strategy for dealing with TB in cattle over the next 10 years is an important addition to the measures currently available to address this disease.

Bovine TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis there have been and (b) cattle have been slaughtered due to infection with bovine tuberculosis in each year since 1986.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of new TB herd incidents and number of cattle slaughtered under TB control measures in Great Britain between 1986 and 2005 are presented in the following table 1 :
	1 19861994 data taken from Animal Health-The Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer: 199094. 19952005 data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database (199597 data downloaded on 16 February 2006. 19982004 data downloaded on 19 May 2005. 2005 data downloaded on 16 January 2006). All data are provisional and subject to change as more data become available.
	
		
			  New TB herd incidents Cattle slaughtered(71) 
		
		
			 1986 306 645 
			 1987 324 1,173 
			 1988 363 782 
			 1989 452 1,098 
			 1990 472 1,570 
			 1991 610 1,304 
			 1992 588 1,626 
			 1993 839 2,455 
			 1994 901 2,773 
			 1995 1,001 2,997 
			 1996 1,077 3,836 
			 1997 1,197 3,695 
			 1998 1,516 5,872 
			 1999 1,662 6,787 
			 2000 1,741 8,400 
			 2001(72) 806 6,320 
			 2002(72) 3,331 23,013 
			 2003 3,222 23,177 
			 2004 3,346 22,566 
			 2005 3,514 29,044 
		
	
	(71) TB reactors plus direct contacts.
	(72) In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. When testing resumed in 2002, resources were concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of high risk herds tested immediately after the FMD outbreak was greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, data for 2001 and 2002 are not comparable with other years.

Bovine TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being undertaken in the UK on the production of a bovine tuberculosis cattle vaccine; and what the Government's position is on sanctioning the use of such a vaccine.

Ben Bradshaw: Developing a TB vaccine for cattle is a long term goal and forms a substantial part of Defra's research programme. Defra is funding research, in collaboration with New Zealand, into vaccinating cattle with BCG and other vaccine candidates, and to develop a test to differentiate vaccinated animals from infected animals.
	In January the Veterinary Laboratories Agency began further work on looking at new vaccine candidates and delivery protocols in a natural transmission study in cattle.
	Before they could be used as tools in TB control, any suitable vaccine candidates would be required to go through formal licensing procedures to ensure safety and efficacy, and to comply with relevant EU directives. At present, vaccination of cattle in the field against TB is illegal under EU law because of the risk of interference with current diagnostic tests.

Bovine TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the contribution that (a) testing all badgers found dead for bovine tuberculosis and (b) recommencing the nationwide road traffic accident survey for disease surveillance would have upon eradicating bovine tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no plans to test all badgers found dead for bovine tuberculosis. However, as part of the package of measures announced on 1 November 2004, the State Veterinary Service carries out localised wildlife surveys in and around new potential hotspots across England.
	The Road Traffic Accident survey (RTA) finished at the end of 2005. It was carried out in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial counties of Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. Shropshire and Dorset were also targeted as comparison counties.
	Officials are analysing the data in conjunction with herd breakdowns around the infected badgers found. This will help to inform decisions on the value of continuing RTA surveys in high and/or low TB risk areas in England.

Bovine TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact that pre-movement testing only on animals over 15 months of age from 20 February will have upon the prevention of the translocation of bovine tuberculosis as a result of cattle movement.

Ben Bradshaw: It is estimated that, in the initial phase, approximately 285,000 cattle movements may be subject to testing, and that pre-movement testing may prevent around 500 new incidents of bovine tuberculosis a year.
	Once the second phase is introduced, and animals over 42 days old are subject to pre-movement testing, approximately 560,000 cattle movements may be eligible. Around 700 new incidents a year may be prevented.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the carbon dioxide emissions of (a) China, (b) India, (c) the US and (d) the UK were as most recently reported for the purposes of the Kyoto and Montreal agreements; and what projections have been made for that purpose for (i) 2020 and (ii) 2050 in each case.

Elliot Morley: pursuant to the reply, 12 January 2006, Official Report, c. 749W
	My answer referred to two figures, 240 per cent. and 210 per cent. in the final paragraph. These figures were incorrect and should have read 140 per cent. and 110 per cent. The rest of the answer remains correct.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Research

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on the Natural Environment and Research Council's assessment of table 5a of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology business plan.

Elliot Morley: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had no discussions with the Department for Trade and Industry regarding the Natural Environment Research Council's assessment of table 5a of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology business plan.

Cetacean By-catch

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare will reply to letters on the matter of cetacean by-catch in fisheries received from (a) the By-catch Working Group of Wildlife and Countryside Link dated 11 July 2005 and 18 November 2005 and (b) the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society dated 4 March 2005 and 28 October 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 16 February 2006
	I replied to all of these letters earlier this month.

Chewing Gum

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which councils have applied to join the Department's scheme to tackle chewing gum litter.

Ben Bradshaw: The following local authorities applied to take part in the publicity campaign to reduce levels of discarded gum being organised by the Chewing Gum Action Group.
	Alnwick District Council
	Bradford Metropolitan District Council
	Braintree District Council
	Bristol City Council
	Chesterfield Borough Council
	Colchester Borough Council
	Copeland Borough Council
	Crawley Borough Council
	Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
	Elmbridge Borough Council
	Erewash Borough Council
	Guildford Borough Council
	Herefordshire Council
	Hertsmere Borough Council
	Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
	Horsham District Council
	Kennet District Council
	Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council
	Lancaster City Council
	Leeds City Council
	Leicester City Council
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Enfield
	London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Merton
	London Borough of Newham
	Manchester City Council
	Medway Council
	Melton Borough Council
	Newcastle City Council
	Norwich City Council
	Nottingham City Council
	Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
	Oxford City Council
	Plymouth City Council
	Reading Borough Council
	Saint Albans District Council
	Scarborough Borough Council
	Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
	South Ribble Borough Council
	Stafford Borough Council
	Stoke on Trent City Council
	Tendring District Council
	Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
	Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
	Wolverhampton City Council
	Worcester City Council
	Wyre Forest District Council
	York City Council

Compost Material

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a decision on whether compost material should be defined as a product rather than waste.

Ben Bradshaw: The definition of waste in force in the United Kingdom is the definition in article 1 (a) of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). Whether or not a substance is discarded as waste, and when waste ceases to be waste, are matters which must be determined on the facts of the case and the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued several judgments on the definition of waste which are binding on member states and their competent authorities.
	The composting of waste is classified as a waste recovery operation under the WFD. This means that composting must be carried out under the terms of a waste management licence issued by, or a waste management licensing exemption registered with, the Environment Agency (England and Wales).
	The ECJ has ruled that
	Whether [a substance] is waste, must be determined in the light of all the circumstances, regard being had to the aim of the directive and the need to ensure that its effectiveness is not undermined.
	In practice, this means that waste does not cease to be waste until it has undergone a complete recovery operation and has been fully recovered within the meaning of the WFD. A complete recovery operation is one which has the effect of transforming waste into a product which is wholly interchangeable with another product and requires no additional regulation or supervision beyond that applicable to the product which it is replacing. Waste has not undergone a complete recovery operation if, after the operation has been carried out, it continues to present a danger typical of waste (e.g. it continues to be contaminated).
	The Environment Agency considers that (a) source-segregated waste which, after composting meets the relevant tests, including the achievement of a recognised and suitable quality standard (e.g. BSI PAS 100), certainty of use and no risk of pollution of the environment or harm to human health, is likely to be fully recovered within the meaning of the WFD; and (b) mixed waste which is composted is likely to remain waste until it is used in a further recovery operation (e.g. land treatment resulting in agricultural benefit or ecological improvement) subject to control by the Agency under a licence or registered licensing exemption. These considerations are being taken into account in work currently being undertaken by the Environment Agency and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) on the development of a quality protocol for waste composting.
	There is also now the prospect of similar work being undertaken at a European Union level following the publication, on 21 December 2005, of the European Commission's Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste together with a proposed revision of the WFD. The proposals are available on the Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/strategv.htm and include, in the draft revised WFD, a provision which would enable the adoption of environmental and quality criteria for specified waste streams. Where these criteria are met, the effect would be to deem that the recovery of the specified waste had been completed and that it had ceased to be waste. The Commission's Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste proposes that the waste streams addressed by this system should include compost.
	The Department supports the development of protocols at national level and advocates the development of similar work at a European Union level. A key objective of our doing so is to enable our competent authorities, and those engaged in the recovery of waste, to determine with a high degree of certainty the point at which waste has been fully recovered for the purposes of the WFD and has ceased to be waste.

Compost Material

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to simplify the licensing regime for composting.

Ben Bradshaw: DEFRA's Environmental Permitting Programme will shortly be consulting on options for creating a streamlined environmental permitting and compliance system. The Waste Management Licensing regime will fall within the scope of this consultation.
	The waste framework directive gives member states discretion to provide exemptions from the requirement for a permit and DEFRA has exercised this discretion to encourage the recovery of waste with the provision of a number of exemptions under regulation 17 and schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, including one for the composting of waste. Establishments and undertakings composting biodegradable waste should obtain either a waste management licence or can benefit from an exemption from waste management licensing providing they satisfy a number of general rules.
	A taskforce has been established to consider the current exemption from waste management licensing for some composting operations. The taskforce will re-assess the current conditions relating to licensing of composting and if agreed necessary, a proportionate, risk-based, approach to the regulation of non-domestic composting will be developed.

Compost Material

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to issue further guidance relating to the Government's strategy on composting; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Composting is high up the waste hierarchy and supported by a range of policies that promote sustainable waste management. It is likely to play an increasingly important role in diverting biodegradable waste from landfill in line with the Government's waste strategy objectives.

Departmental Expenditure (West Lancashire)

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding was allocated by her Department in West Lancashire for (a) capital projects and (b) revenue funding in each of the last five years and for what purposes.

Jim Knight: Expenditure information is not currently held by the Department on a constituency basis and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Chapter 8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis shows the outturn of public expenditure by region.

Departmental Staff

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department are paid on a performance-related basis.

Jim Knight: All staff in Defra are paid on a performance-related basis.

Electric Shock Collars

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many electric shock collars have been sold in the UK over the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not hold this information.

Energy Efficiency

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the outcome of the Review of Policy Framework for local authority energy efficiency activity.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 13 February 2006
	The main conclusions of the Review were carried forward in the Energy White Paper, published in 2003 and have formed the basis of Defra's activity on encouraging local authority energy activity since it's publication.
	Findings of the review relating to the implementation of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 will be used to inform the review of guidance issued to Energy Conservation Authorities which is currently under way.

Farm Inspection Costs

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will reverse its policy of asking farmers in TB hotspots to pay inspection costs.

Ben Bradshaw: No. Pre-movement testing will be introduced on 27 March following a rapid independent survey of veterinary capacity and preparedness to deliver the new policy. The policy itself is not under review, as it is widely expected to reduce the risk of spreading TB through cattle movements.
	The Government continues to fund the provision of tuberculin and all routine surveillance testing at a cost of over 40 million per annum.

Single Payment Scheme

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government has made of the accuracy of the digitalised farm maps used by the Rural Payments Agency for the purpose of making single farm payments.

Jim Knight: Digital mapping data capture work is the responsibility of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), which has established a continuous quality assurance checking process. Just under a third of all land parcels currently captured or amended are being checked, with 2.2 per cent. of land parcels checked requiring amendment before a map is sent to the applicant. Thereafter applicants have an opportunity to notify RPA of any further changes required, which are processed and a new map printed.

Single Payment Scheme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the proportion of single payment entitlement statements which will not be validated.

Jim Knight: The Rural Payments Agency is responsible for the administration of the single payment scheme, including the issue of entitlement statements. RPA is on course to issue statements to all eligible SPS claimants by the end of February. All claims have been subject to extensive validation, enabling RPA to press ahead with the process of determining entitlement. It is too early to give a precise estimate of the proportion of statements associated with partly validated claims, although it is likely that the majority will fall into that category. RPA is aiming to complete the outstanding validation in order pay the bulk of claims by the end of March.

Forestry Commission

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Forestry Commission England spent on biodiversity work in each forest district in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005; and how much it has budgeted for biodiversity work in each district for (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008.

Jim Knight: Total expenditure on conservation of natural heritage and enhancement of biodiversity on the public forest estate for the last two years and the current year's budget is given in the following table.
	The budget for 200607 and 200708 is being finalised and I will write to the hon. Member when this information is available. It is too early to predict the budget for 200809 which will be subject to the outcome of CSR07.
	
		Spending on natural heritage and enhancement of biodiversity -- 000
		
			  Actual Budget 
			 Forest District 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Sherwood and Lincolnshire 246 308 305 
			 East Anglia 132 170 231 
			 Northants 177 216 225 
			 Kielder 148 182 135 
			 North West England 425 435 542 
			 North York Moors 147 154 174 
			 South East England 275 272 249 
			 New Forest 1,213 1,394 1,330 
			 West Midlands 134 94 174 
			 Peninsula 380 362 272 
			 Forest of Dean 211 224 257

Green Space

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the change in the area of privately owned urban green space over the last 10 years; and what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the change on biodiversity.

Jim Knight: holding answer 14 February 2006
	Land Use Change Statistics are published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The most recent results were published in November 2005, as Land Use Change in England to 2004: Additional Tables. These are available at:
	http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/532/LandusechangestatisticsinEnglandto2004No20AAdditionalTables_id1161532.pdf
	These data show the amount of land being developed according to its past use. An average of 150 hectares a year changed from outdoor recreation to residential usage during the period 1992 to 2001. Of this, 130 hectares a year was within built-up areas. Information on whether the land involved is privately owned is not recorded, however.
	My Department has not made a direct assessment of the loss of such space on biodiversity to date. But initiatives such as the new planning policy statement 9 do establish clear national policies on protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system.

Household Waste

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of waste produced in (a) Leicester and (b) England in each of the last five years was household waste.

Ben Bradshaw: Data on the total amount of waste arising form all sectors are not collected on an annual basis. The latest available estimate, based mainly on 200203 data, is that household waste is estimated to be around 9 per cent. of total UK waste. Estimate for England is likely to be around the same level. Comparable estimate for Leicester is not available.

Incinerators

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities she estimates are considering the introduction of incinerators in order to meet their landfill diversion targets.

Ben Bradshaw: The requested information is not held centrally within Defra. Local authorities have the responsibility for managing municipal waste within their boundaries and are not required to share their proposed management systems with Defra. Once built, incinerator operators are required to operate under a licence issued by the Environment Agency.

M.bovis

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what methods are available to test for M.bovis in soil samples.

Ben Bradshaw: The most effective way of detecting Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) in soil is through microbiological culture of the organism.
	Methods based on the amplification of nucleic acids, such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), have obvious potential. So far, however, PCR has not shown itself to be superior in terms of sensitivity, specificity or overall reliability to conventional culture.
	Defra is funding a project to consider the alternative methods available to culture for the detection of M.bovis in environmental and clinical samples, and this is due to report shortly.

Meat Promotions

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on the promotion of English (a) beef and (b) lamb in 200405.

Ben Bradshaw: The principal organisation promoting English beef and iamb is the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), a federal body within the Meat and Livestock Commission. Full details of its activities are on its website www.eblex.org.uk. In particular, EBLEX are about to embark on a three year 5.5 million campaign, funded by Defra, to support the reintroduction to the food chain of cattle over 30 months of age born on or after 1 August 1996.

Official Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the official residences for which her Department is responsible; who occupies each one; what the annual cost is of running each property; what contribution the occupants of each make towards running costs; what the total capital and refurbishment expenditure was on those properties in 200405; how much was spent in each property on (a) flowers and plants, (b) wine and entertaining, (c) food, (d) telephone bills and (e) electricity and gas in 200405; how many (i) domestic and (ii) maintenance staff are employed at each property, broken down by post; and what the total cost of staff employment was in 200405.

Jim Knight: The Department is responsible for one official residenceFlat 1, Admiralty House, Londonwhich is occupied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
	The running costs to the Department for 200405 were 195,500. These costs are those paid by the Department to the Cabinet Office in respect of rent and a service charge, which covers costs for utilities (including electricity and gas), security, facilities management and general maintenance. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, does not contribute towards these costs.
	Capital or refurbishment expenditure is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office, who would recharge the Department through the service charge. We were not advised of any such expenditure in 200405.
	The Department incurs no expenditure on flowers and plants, wine and entertaining or food. Telephone charges incurred are not available due to disproportionate cost.
	No staff are employed in or for Flat 1.
	Ministers occupying official residences do not pay tax on the living accommodation itself. However, tax is paid on the ancillary services (lighting, heating etc.) a sum limited to 10 per cent. of his/her taxable ministerial salary and benefits (if any).

Organic Entry Level Scheme

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in (a) West Lancashire and (b) Lancashire have been registered under the Organic Entry Level Scheme.

Jim Knight: As at 16 February 2006, 460 applications have been received by the Rural Development Service (RDS) in Lancashire. 358 of these have generated a full agreement.
	I regret it is not possible to provide figures for the area of West Lancashire, although the numbers for specific counties can be provided by the RDS.

Pet Animal Convention

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason she has not yet signed the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: A decision on whether to sign will be taken after the enactment of the Animal Welfare Bill, which will allow compliance with the Convention.

Poultry

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many inspectors are employed in each of her regional offices to deal with (a) registered and (b) unregistered flocks of poultry.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has 30 Egg Marketing inspectors who visit the majority of poultry farms across England and Wales engaged in producing eggs for human consumption. These premises must be specifically registered with the Egg Marketing Inspectorate for this purpose. The inspectorate will shortly begin visiting poultry meat producers registered to market non-intensively reared birds on a commercial scale and any remaining cage producers not visited for other reasons already.
	In addition veterinary officers and animal health officers, of the State Veterinary Service, undertake inspections and testing on farms, including poultry establishments. These officers however also perform a wide variety of other duties in addition to their poultry work.
	No routine inspections are made of unregistered poultry sites.

Poultry

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many calls the Poultry Register helpline has received in each week since it was opened.

Ben Bradshaw: As of 21 February 2006, more than 15,000 1 calls have been received since the Poultry Register Helpline opened on 9 December 2005. Weekly totals are as follows:
	1 Includes call traffic in the first few days of the week beginning 20 February 2006.
	
		
			 Week ending Total call volumes 
		
		
			 11 December 2005 113 
			 18 December 2005 377 
			 25 December 2005 687 
			 1 January 2006 261 
			 8 January 2006 879 
			 15 January 2006 1,689 
			 22 January 2006 1,816 
			 29 January 2006 1,341 
			 5 February 2006 1,603 
			 12 February 2006 1,962 
			 19 February 2006 2,596 
		
	
	The week ending 26 February 2006 has already shown a marked increase in call traffic, with more than 1,300 calls being received on Monday alone.

Poultry

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2210W, on poultry, whether her Department has reconsidered making it (a) possible or (b) mandatory for owners of smaller flocks to register their birds.

Ben Bradshaw: Although there is no statutory requirement we are now actively encouraging owners of less than 50 birds to register their flocks under the GB Poultry Register.

Poultry

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2210W, on poultry, what percentage of poultry owners have fulfilled the requirement to register their flocks under the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations 2005;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2006, Official Report, column 451W, on poultry, how many flocks of 50 birds or more have now been registered with her Department; and what the flock size is of each registered poultry owner.

Ben Bradshaw: Information from enforcement officers and from other data sets about poultry held by Government suggest there are at least 6,200 holdings with 50 or more birds. As at 16 February 2006, 11,163 poultry premises had registered on the GB Poultry Register, including both compulsory and voluntary registrations. These figures suggest that poultry owners have responded positively to the requirement to register their flocks on the GB Poultry Register.
	Further information, including an analysis of flock sizes, will be available after the 28 February deadline for compulsory registration has expired.

Rare Breeds Auction (Salisbury)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether representatives of her Department attended the rare breeds auction at Salisbury livestock market on 11 February.

Ben Bradshaw: No.

Recycled Waste Certificates

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the extent to which other EU countries have implemented the directive requiring companies in member states to produce recycled waste certificates differently from the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 13 February 2006
	Member states are legally bound to transpose the requirements of the EC directive on packaging and packaging waste into domestic law and it is up to each member state to determine how this is done. All member states have, we understand, transposed the directive as required. In the UK, parts of the directive (including the recovery and recycling targets) are implemented through the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2005. Our system differs from most other member states, since we are only one of three countries which enables packaging producers to acquire evidence notes to demonstrate compliance with the recovery and recycling targets in the packaging and packaging waste directive.

Recycled Waste Certificates

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Environment Agency will repay the fines and costs imposed on J E Wilson and Sons in the light of the change to the regulations removing the requirement for a recycled waste certificate from firms of this size.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 13 February 2006
	I understand that J E Wilson and Sons was not carrying out its statutory packaging waste recovery and recycling obligations under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations, and that enforcement action was taken by the Environment Agency who monitor compliance and enforce these regulations. Any fines will have been imposed by the courts and there is no question of any such costs being repaid by the Environment Agency.
	There have been no changes to the regulations in respect of the need to provide evidence of compliance with the producer responsibility obligations in the regulations.

Recycling

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to encourage local authorities to increase public (a) awareness of and (b) participation in recycling schemes.

Ben Bradshaw: In 2003 the Waste Implementation Programme was set up to focus on diverting Biodegradable Municipal Waste from landfill. Through this programme 20 million has been made available to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) for their local communications and awareness work during 200405 and 200506. WRAP allocate funding to local authorities through a competitive tender. With WRAP'S guidance and funding over 100 campaigns across England have been operation between April 2004 and March 2006. These campaigns focus directly on increasing participation in recycling and waste minimisation initiatives.
	Although funding has for 200607 has not been finalised WRAP have proposed a budget of 8.8 million for 200607 to continue funding local authorities to work to increase public awareness of recycling.

Recycling

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the information from the public for local authorities on recycling schemes; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra does not make any assessment of the information made available to the public by local authorities regarding recycling schemes. Authorities are assessed on performance against statutory recycling and composting targetsset for each local authority in England in 200304 and 200506.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme have also provided 20 million funding, support and advice for individual local awareness schemes from April 2003 to March 2006.

Recycling

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets have been set by her Department for the domestic recycling of (a) paper, (b) plastics, (c) glass and (d) metals; and which local authorities have (i) met and (ii) failed to meet these targets in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Government set each local authority in England a statutory target for the recycling and composting of household waste in 200304 and 200506. In addition, the Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 requires waste collection authoritiessubject to certain exemptionsto provide a kerbside collection service of at least two recyclable materials by 2010. Each individual authority can choose which materials it collects to meet its statutory targets and the requirements of the 2003 Act.
	Data on local authority recycling performanceincluding performance against the 200304 targetsare available at the following location on Defra's website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/perf_mgmt.htm.

Recycling

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what schemes her Department promotes to encourage the recycling of toner from photocopiers and printers.

Ben Bradshaw: The waste hierarchy, set out in the Government's waste strategy, promotes re-use and recycling over other waste disposal options such as landfill. However, the Department does not promote any specific scheme to encourage the recycling of toner from photocopiers and printers.

Recycling

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions there are on the transportation abroad for recycling of waste toner from photocopiers.

Jim Knight: The export of waste from the UK for disposal is prohibited under national legislation. Shipments for recovery are permitted subject to the classification and destination of the waste. Waste may only be exported to non-OECD countries if it is non-hazardous and if the country of destination has indicated that they are willing to accept it for recovery, as set out in the relevant EU Regulations.
	Non-hazardous waste may be exported to OECD countries for recovery subject only to commercial controls. Certain hazardous waste exports to the OECD require notification to the countries of destination, dispatch and where appropriate transit, who must give their prior consent to the movement. Advice on the relevant controls can be sought from the relevant competent authority, the Environment Agency in England and Wales.

Recycling

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has taken to help local authorities to increase levels of recycling.

Ben Bradshaw: The Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) is a Defra programme designed to assist local authorities (LA's) achieve EC Landfill targets for Biodegradable Municipal Waste. The Programme offers LA's various toolkits and advice and aims to promote the Waste Hierarchy as set out in the Waste Strategy (Minimisation, Reuse, Recycle, Recovery, Landfill). Minimisation lies at the top of the tree with landfill at the bottom. Recycling plays an important part in the diversion process and as such LA's are encouraged to examine recycling possibilities, which enable them to meet their targets which in turn allows them to avoid penalties under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS).
	WIP achieves this through a number of levers. For example WIP has recently run a series of Efficiency Roadshows designed to spread best practice (including in the recycling field) and to encourage LA's to consider the greater use of partnership working.
	From 200203 to 200506 the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund has distributed over 275 million to local authorities across England to improve their waste minimisation, recycling and composting performance. This has been through a competitive process whereby bids have to be approved before the monies released. London authorities received 45.45 million from the overall pot through a scheme administered by London Waste Action.
	In 200506 there has been further financial help available to local authorities through the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant. This is an un-ringfenced grant whereby the money can be spent on any service not just waste. 40 million was available in 200506 and this will rise to 105 million in 200607 and 110 million in 200708.
	PFI offers financial support to LA's for the development of long term waste processing infrastructure, such as Energy from Waste facilities. In the Spending Review (SR) 2002 (covering the period 200304 to 200506) Defra was allocated 355 million towards the funding of waste PFI projects. The SR 2004 (covering the period 200607 to 200809) allocated an additional 275 million of PFI credits for waste PFI projects, over and above the 355 million available from the 2002 Spending Review.
	WIP also encourages LA's to consider collaborations with the Community and Voluntary sectors who have recognised expertise in the reuse and recycling fields.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) uses Defra funding to carry out a number of activities in the minimisation, reuse, and recycling sectors. One important area relates to Education and WRAP have run the very successful Recycle Now campaign which raises public awareness of the benefits of recycling. WRAP have also managed a Home Composting campaign which provides information on composting to LA's and the general public and offers LA's composting bins at reduced prices for distribution to householders.

Recycling

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the recycling and recovery capacity London requires for its municipal waste by 2020; what percentage increase on current capacity this represents; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure this new capacity is delivered.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra does not collect this information. However, the Greater London Authority estimate in their Alterations to the London Plan Policies on Waste Technical Report that in 200304, London had the following capacity: 1.32 million tonnes (494,000 recycled, 826,000 tonnes per annum incinerated). The Greater London Authority estimate that by 2020, London needs 2.724 million tonnes of recycling and composting capacity and 2.892 million tonnes of recovery capacity; this is an estimated increase of 325 per cent.
	Decisions on waste management services and the provision of waste facilities in London are a matter for individual local authorities, joint waste disposal authorities and the Greater London Authority. Local government should consider future capacity needs as part of the preparation of a municipal waste management strategy.

Recycling

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many London waste authorities met their 200304 recycling standards; and how many are on course to meet their 200506 targets.

Ben Bradshaw: In 200304 eight London authorities met or exceeded their statutory performance standards for recycling and composting. The table outlines performance in 200304 and 200405 and the statutory performance standards in 200304 and 200506 for each authority in London. Performance in 200405 is a useful indication of direction of travel.
	
		Percentage
		
			 London authority Recycling and composting rate 200304(73) Recycling and composting target for 200304(74) Recycling and composting rate 200405(75) Recycling and composting target for 200506(76) 
		
		
			 Corporation of London 19 10 14 18 
			 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham 7 10 14 18 
			 London Borough of Barnet 17 18 20 27 
			 London Borough of Bexley 21 33 30 30 
			 London Borough of Brent 9 10 14 18 
			 London Borough of Bromley 20 14 23 21 
			 London Borough of Camden 19 22 25 30 
			 London Borough of Croydon 14 28 13 30 
			 London Borough of Ealing 12 20 15 30 
			 London Borough of Enfield 16 18 24 27 
			 London Borough of Greenwich 12 10 19 18 
			 London Borough of Hackney 7 10 12 18 
			 London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham 15 16 20 24 
			 London Borough of Haringey 9 10 14 18 
			 London Borough of Harrow 13 16 19 24 
			 London Borough of Havering 10 18 16 27 
			 London Borough of Hillingdon 24 14 27 21 
			 London Borough of Hounslow 16 28 17 30 
			 London Borough of Islington 8 10 11 18 
			 London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 16 22 18 30 
			 London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames 19 30 18 30 
			 London Borough of Lambeth 11 14 16 21 
			 London Borough of Lewisham 8 10 10 18 
			 London Borough of Merton 15 18 20 27 
			 London Borough of Newham 6 10 6 18 
			 London Borough of Redbridge 12 14 16 21 
			 London Borough of Richmond upon Thames 22 28 24 30 
			 London Borough of Southwark 7 10 11 18 
			 London Borough of Sutton 25 33 28 30 
			 London Borough of Tower Hamlets 5 10 7 18 
			 London Borough of Waltham Forest 12 12 18 18 
			 London Borough of Wandsworth 17 16 17 24 
			 Westminster City Council 13 12 15 18 
			 East London Waste Authority (Disposal) 8 10 12 18 
			 North London Waste Authority (Disposal) 13 12 18 18 
			 West London Waste Authority (Disposal) 17 18 20 27 
			 Western Riverside Waste Authority (Disposal) 15 16 18 24 
		
	
	(73) An authority's household waste recycling and composting rate for 200304 is the sum of its performance in 200304 for Best Value indicators 82 a and b. Authorities submit figures to the Audit Commission for auditing and are then published on the Audit Commission's website:
	http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/performance/dataprovision.asp and on the ODPM's website: www.bvpi.org.uk
	(74) The 200304 Statutory performance standards for recycling and composting were set by Schedule 10 (Article 12) of the Local Government (Best Value) Performance Indicators and Performance Standards Order 2001.
	(75) An authority's household waste recycling and composting rate for 200405 is the sum of its performance in 200405 for Best Value indicators 82 a and b. Authorities submit figures to the Audit Commission for auditing and are then published on the Audit Commission's website:
	http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/performance/dataprovision.asp and on the ODPM's website: www.bvpi.org.uk
	(76) The 200506 Statutory performance standards for recycling and composting were set by Schedule 8 (Article 10) of the Local Government (Best Value) Performance Indicators and Performance Standards (England) Order 2005.

Recycling

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling points there are per 1,000 population in (a) Uxbridge constituency, (b) the London Borough of Hillingdon, (c) Greater London and (d) England.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 1346W.

Recycling

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage companies to enter the recycling industry.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government recognises the importance of encouraging companies to enter the recycling industry and is aware that business may face challenges doing so. Since it began work in 2001 the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has had a positive impact in working with business to remove barriers to developing recycling markets and products. WRAP engages with producers, purchasers and investors and has developed both advisory services and guidance to support business entering the field of the recycling industry. For example, WRAP'S Business Development Service (BDS) is a free service for SME recycling businesses which provides a range of practical help and guidance, giving businesses the opportunity to maximise their chances of securing commercial finance. The BDS has a proven track record of success doing this; in the last four years it has helped raise over 6 million for 15 businesses. Other support services which WRAP provides include the UK's first venture capital fund dedicated to the recycling sector, equipment leasing guarantees, intellectual property rights awareness, and training and investment opportunities. These programmes offer companies support for growth, innovation and increased investment in the recycling industry.

Recycling

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's targets are for recycling of waste for each of the next five years.

Ben Bradshaw: All Defra sites monitor the amount of waste generated and the amounts recycled, by waste stream. An annual target of at least 1 per cent. reduction in waste generated is incorporated in site-based Environmental Management Systems. Defra is working to increase recycling rates by at least 5 per cent. each year with the aim of reaching a 75 per cent. recycling/composting rate overall.

Refuse Collection/Street Cleaning

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) refuse collection and (b) street cleaning are provided via (i) in-house services, (ii) a social enterprise company and (iii) a private contractor in each London borough.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra does not keep this data. The following table uses data provided by the Greater London Authority.
	
		
			 Borough Service Provider type 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Barnet Waste Collection SE 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Bexley Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Brent Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Bromley Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Camden Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Gleaning PC 
			 City of London Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Croydon Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Ealing Waste Collection PC+SE 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Enfield Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning IH 
			 Greenwich Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Hackney Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning IH 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning IH 
			 Haringey Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Harrow Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Havering Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Hillingdon Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning IH 
			 Hounslow Waste Collection IH+SE 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Islington Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Kingston Upon Thames Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Lambeth Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Lewisham Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Merton Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Newham Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Redbridge Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning IH 
			 Richmond Upon Thames Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Southwark Waste Collection ND 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Sutton Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
			 Tower Hamlets Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Waltham Forest Waste Collection IH 
			  Street Cleaning IH 
			 Wandsworth Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning PC 
			 Westminster Waste Collection PC 
			  Street Cleaning ND 
		
	
	Key:
	IH = In-house
	SE = Social Enterprise Company
	PC = Private contractor
	ND = No Data

Sea Bass

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) observers and (b) observation methods are deployed on vessels trawling for bass in the western approaches during the bass season.

Ben Bradshaw: During the 200405 bass season three observers were deployed on vessels and 152 hauls observed. In the 200506 bass season to date there have been two observers deployed on vessels. Information on the number of hauls observed is not available because research is still in progress.
	The Department is due to submit a report to the Commission by 1 June on the results of the monitoring of bycatch in UK fisheries, as a requirement of Council Regulation (EC) No 812/2004. This will include information on the current bass season.

Sewage Treatment

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses the Government received to the consultation document A Draft Code of Practice on Odour Nuisance from Sewage Treatment Works.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department received forty-eight responses to the Consultation on the draft Code of Practice and Local Authority Guide on Odour Nuisance from Sewage Treatment Works. The National Assembly for Wales conducted its own consultation exercise to which eight responses were received.

Social Scientific Researchers

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many social scientific researchers she has in her Department; and what plans she has to increase this complement.

Ben Bradshaw: At present there are five Government Social Researchers working in Defra. Future numbers of social researchers will be determined, alongside other types of analyst, within the context of Defra's Evidence and Innovation Strategy (E and IS). A full public consultation on the E and IS has just closed and the responses are now being analysed. The Government will respond with a revised high-level E and IS later this year.

Television Disposals

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the average cost of disposal of a television set.

Ben Bradshaw: There is no fixed cost for the disposal of a television set, which will subject to market variation.

Waste Management

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of waste in England was exported for disposal in each year between 1997 and 2005.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK Government has a long-standing policy of self-sufficiency in waste disposal as set out in the UK Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste (the Plan), which came into operation on 1 June 1996. In accordance with the Plan, no waste should have been exported from the UK for disposal overseas since this would be illegal.

Waste Management

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost has been of administering the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (WMX8a) in each year since it was introduced.

Ben Bradshaw: Amendments to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations introduced charging for certain specified waste management exemptions in July 2005. The new charges were implemented by the Environment Agency, and WMX8a is the Agency's exemption registration form used for land reclamation and improvement (infill exemption registrations).
	The Environment Agency does not yet have a complete annual set of validated national figures for this new charging scheme. Interim data shows that between introduction and 31 December 2005, the Agency registered a total of 1,582 exemptions for infill only, which the Agency has taken to mean those exemptions registered under paragraphs 9A and 19A of Schedule 3 to the Regulations. The Environment Agency estimates the cost of assessing and inspecting these activities, and therefore of administering the new scheme for that period, to be 863,772.

Waste Management

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much revenue has been raised through the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (WMX8a) (a) in infill exemption registrations and (b) in annual licence renewals in each year since they were introduced.

Ben Bradshaw: Amendments to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations introduced charging for certain specified waste management exemptions in July 2005. The new charges were implemented by the Environment Agency, and WMX8a is the agency's exemption registration form used for land reclamation and improvement (infill exemption registrations).
	(a) The Environment Agency does not yet have a complete annual set of validated national figures for this new charging scheme. Interim data show that between introduction and 31 December 2005, the agency registered a total of 1,582 exemptions for infill only, which the agency has taken to mean those exemptions registered under paragraphs 9A and 19A of schedule 3 to the regulations. The new charging scheme for the Waste Management Licensing Regulations has been established to recover the Environment Agency's costs for assessing and inspecting the activities, and charges were set on the basis of estimated average costs per charge-payer. The agency estimates the revenue raised by infill exemption registrations under the new scheme for that period to be 863,772.
	(b) The agency does not yet have revenue figures for annual registration renewals given that this charging scheme commenced in July 2005.

Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help is available to local authorities to find alternatives to landfill; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have put in place a three-year targeted local authority Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant totalling 260m. The Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant supports new and more efficient ways to deliver waste reduction and increase recycling and diversion from landfill. Local authorities will receive 45 million in 200506, 105 million in 200607 and 110 million in 200708.
	The Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund, also known as the Challenge Fund, is also a key source of funding. The Challenge Fund is designed to support local authority projects that push waste management practices up the waste hierarchy. These include projects designed to minimise the amount of household waste generated, and those that provide more extensive facilities for re-use and recycling and composting. 45 million was made available for this financial year.
	Since March 2003, Defra's Local Authority Support Unit (LASU) has been on hand to bridge the gap between Central Government policy and the action required at local authority level to bring about the behavioural changes needed to meet the objectives of the Landfill Directive.
	In June 2004, all local authorities were invited to apply to the LASU for advice provided by specialist waste consultants to help them deal with specific local barriers preventing them from improving their recycling performance and also to help some local authorities plan for the introduction of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS).
	The LASU has so far distributed over 3.5 million in grants and other support.
	The LASU has also put together a toolkit for local authorities to give them advice on best practice in areas such as:
	Creating recycling strategies
	Kerbside recycling
	Household waste recycling centres
	Collecting waste from blocks of flats and housing estates and
	Good practice on the collection of bulky goods (such as cookers, televisions and fridges etc).
	Defra's New Technologies Supporter programme provides free guidance, literature and training to local authorities and decision makers for the development of New Technologies for the diversion of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) from landfill. Alongside this the Waste Technology Data Centre gives the facts on how waste treatment technologies work, as well as how much they cost to build and maintain.
	Defra also funds the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to provide an advisory service to local authorities on recycling and organics. This provides technical advice and training for local authorities looking to implement and improve collection systems for recyclable materials and organic wastes.

Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to combine waste collection and waste disposal authorities where those responsibilities are delivered by different local authorities.

Ben Bradshaw: My department has no plans to combine waste collection and disposal authorities where these functions are delivered by different local authorities. Currently my department are involved in a number of reviews which consider how we will deal with waste in the future. The review of the Waste Strategy 2000 was opened to consultation yesterday (14 February 2006), and there is a consultation in progress on the waste planning powers of the Greater London Authority which will close on 22 February.

Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of which local authorities are at risk of fines because of failure to meet the targets set by the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.

Ben Bradshaw: Due to the nature of a tradable allowances scheme, it is not possible to accurately assess whether any Waste Disposal Authority is likely to landfill biodegradable municipal waste in excess to that which it hold allowances for at the end of the scheme year. At the end of each scheme year on 31 March annually there will be a six-month reconciliation period. During this period Waste Disposal Authorities will have three months to submit their end of year data. During the following two months, the Monitoring Authority (the Environment Agency) will provide each authority with a draft reconciliation between the amount of biodegradable municipal waste the Waste Disposal Authority landfilled and the number of allowances it holds. Should any Waste Disposal Authority have landfilled more waste than it holds allowances for, it can then use the sixth month to trade or borrow allowances to balance the figures. Any Waste Disposal Authority which has landfilled biodegradable municipal waste in excess of the allowances it holds at the end of the reconciliation period will be liable to a financial penalty of 150 per tonne (Section 9(2) of the WET Act).
	The Environment Agency is currently working with Waste Disposal Authorities to provide draft reconciliation's on Quarter land Quarter 2 data returns to help them understand the process and assess their recorded biodegradable municipal waste to landfill against their own local strategies.

Wildlife Management/TB

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will publish the details of the citizens' panel for the public consultation on wildlife management and related TB issues;
	(2)  which research agency is organising the citizens' panel for the public consultation on wildlife management and related TB issues.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not normal practice to publish details of citizens' panels while they are running. We will publish a report on our use of the panels at the end of the current consultation period, alongside information on other respondents' views. The report will include details of research outcomes and the methodology used.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many opium seizures have been made (a) in Afghanistan and (b) on Afghan borders since UK forces took control of the international community's efforts to stop the flow of drugs from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: UK forces have not taken control of the international community's efforts to stop the flow of drugs from Afghanistan. The UK is lead international nation on counter-narcotics in Afghanistan, working with the Government of Afghanistan and international community in support of the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy. Several international partners lead in related areas such as policing (Germany), justice (Italy) and disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration (Japan).
	For information on seizure figures, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his right hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1042W.

Afghanistan

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the membership of the Afghan Drugs Interdepartmental Unit.

Kim Howells: The Afghan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit (ADIDU), based in the UK, and the British Embassy Drugs Team (BEDT) based in Afghanistan, were set up to co-ordinate UK counter narcotics activity in Afghanistan. They work closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to support the Government of Afghanistan implement the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy.
	Both ADIDU and BEDT include staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), HM Revenue and Customs, Department for International Development, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. ADIDU is headed by a member of the FCO's senior management structure. ADIDU is overseen by a stakeholder group. This group is chaired by the FCO's director for Afghanistan and South Asia directorate and comprises one member, mostly at director level, from each of the stakeholder departments and the Cabinet Office. BEDT is overseen by our ambassador to Afghanistan.

Antonio Quatraro

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government holds information relating to the death of Commission official Antonio Quatraro.

Douglas Alexander: The Government are aware of reports that Antonio Quatraro, an Italian European Commission official, committed suicide in April 1993. An EU Court of Auditors investigation had identified Quatraro as being responsible for a processed tobacco sales racket.
	However, the Government are not aware of further information relating to his death.

Arctic

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards Canadian sovereignty in Arctic waters.

Ian Pearson: The UK recognises Canadian sovereignty over its territorial waters as declared under the auspices of the UN convention on the Law of the Sea.

Baghdad Ambassador

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) transcript and (b) any other note taken of the press conference held by Her Majesty's ambassador in Baghdad on 7 February.

Kim Howells: holding answer 16 February 2006
	Her Majesty's ambassador in Baghdad did not hold a press conference on 7 February. He did hold a briefing for local Iraqi media at the British embassy on 6 February. We do not make transcripts of such briefings, but an informal contemporaneous summary of the briefing was made by an embassy official. I will place a copy in the Library of the House.

Bangladesh

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision is made by the high commission in Dhaka for monitoring the state of human rights in Bangladesh.

Kim Howells: Monitoring and promoting democracy, good governance and human rights are key objectives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) work in Bangladesh. The British high commission in Dhaka monitors human rights issues closely including through regular contacts with human rights non-governmental organisations. The high commissioner and other officials raise issues of concern on a regular basis with Ministers and officials of the Government of Bangladesh. A multidisciplinary team of UK and locally engaged staff in the high commission work on a broad range of human rights based projects and initiatives in support of FCO objectives.

Belarus

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to encourage free and fair presidential elections in Belarus on 19 March 2006.

Douglas Alexander: The Government continue to press the Belarusian authorities to hold free and fair elections, both bilaterally and with EU partners. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in November 2005, the EU called for the Belarusian Government to issue an early invitation to an Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) electoral observation mission and stated the Council's willingness to take appropriate restrictive measures in the event of a failure to uphold international standards. The EU reaffirmed its position at the GAERC in January 2006. The UK will provide 10 per cent. of all short and long-term observers for the ODIHR election mission.

Brazil

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the results of efforts to reduce corruption in Brazil.

Douglas Alexander: We believe that the Government of Brazil recognises the scale of corruption in the country and is committed to tackling it. Strong legislation exists to deal with cases of corruption. There have been several notable high profile prosecutions in recent monthsthough major challenges remain. The UK maintains a close dialogue with the Brazilian Government on these issues. In particular, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund is funding a major three-year anti-corruption programme in partnership with the Brazilian Government's Controller General's Office.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UK will table a binding resolution to the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter requiring the Government of Burma to implement a plan for national reconciliation, human rights and democracy.

Ian Pearson: We fully support any action in the United Nations (UN), including in the UN Security Council, which would help to promote reform and positive change in Burma. Members of the UN Security Council discussed the situation in Burma during informal consultations on 16 December. At present there is no consensus within the security council, including among the permanent members, to add Burma to the council's formal agenda, which is a pre-requisite for adopting a resolution.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how many (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public have written to the Government regarding United Nations Security Council intervention in Burma;
	(2)  how many letters, postcards and e-mails the Government have received in the past five years regarding banning British companies from investing in Burma.

Ian Pearson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold centrally collated figures for all inquiries about Burma or specific issues concerning Burma.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of his Department regarding the sourcing of goods from Burma.

Ian Pearson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) policy on the procurement of goods and services is based on value for money, having due regard to propriety and regularity and ensuring full compliance with the EU public procurement directive and other regulatory requirements. The directive promotes equal treatment, transparency and competitive procurement as well as prohibiting discrimination on grounds of nationality. We are not aware of any goods for the FCO in London being sourced from Burma.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings the Foreign Secretary has had with the Burmese Government in exile in each of the past three years.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no meetings with representatives of the Burmese Government in exile in the past three years.
	However, Dr. Michael Williams, as special adviser to the Foreign Secretary, met Dr. Sein Win and Dr. Thaung Htun of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma in June 2005 and the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Mr. O'Brien met Dr. Sein Win in March 2004.
	Officials are in regular contact with representatives of the Burmese democratic opposition.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Government has made an assessment of the safety of British tourists using Burmese airlines.

Ian Pearson: We have not made a formal assessment of domestic Burmese airlines. However, we consider that the internal carrier Myanmar Airlines has a poor safety record.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to India regarding the sale of British aircraft to Burma.

Kim Howells: The UK fully implements the EU embargo on exporting arms and military-related equipment to Burma. In this context, we requested further information from the Indian Government regarding a possible export of British manufactured aircraft to Burma.
	The Indian authorities informed us they intended to gift a small number of Islander aircraft to the Burmese navy, for humanitarian tasks on Burma's island territories. They stressed that these aircraft were entirely unarmed. The Indian Government took note of our concerns.

Canada

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Canada on protecting the wreck of HMS Fantome from treasure hunting.

Ian Pearson: The high commission in Ottawa, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Culture Media and Sport, and the Ministry of Defence are discussing the issue of HMS Fantome with the Nova Scotian authorities with a view to ensuring that the wreck is accorded the proper protection it deserves in accordance with international law.

Christian Pakistanis/Indians

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the treatment of Christian Pakistanis.

Kim Howells: We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith whenever it happens, and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. We make regular representations to the Government of Pakistan on this issue, both through bilateral lobbying and working with our EU partners. This was last raised through bilateral representations and through an EU demarche in December.

Christian Pakistanis/Indians

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the treatment of Christians living in (a) India and (b) Pakistan.

Kim Howells: We are regularly in touch with members of the Church, non-governmental organisations, and Government officials regarding the treatment of Christians, and other minority groups, in both Pakistan and India. We also receive regular correspondence from Members of Parliament and the public on this issue.

Christian Pakistanis/Indians

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of India on the treatment of Christian Indians.

Kim Howells: We share your concern about the treatment of Christians in certain parts of India. Our High Commission in New Delhi continue to monitor the situation in respect of Christians and other minority groups, with staff making regular calls on Minorities Commission, National Human Rights Commission and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commissions flagging up our concern about incidents of religious intolerance.
	Our Deputy High Commissioner sought a call on the National Minorities Commission on 7 February to raise a number of issues including attacks on Christians and other minority groups. Unfortunately this meeting was cancelled. The UK as Presidency of the European Union, also raised this issue during a human rights dialogue with Indian Government officials in Delhi on 1 December.

Christmas Cards

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the cost to his Department of sending Christmas cards in 2005.

Ian Pearson: Details of the costs of Christmas cards sent by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are held by individual Departments and overseas posts. To ask each budget holder to estimate expenditure for cards sent in 2005 would incur disproportionate costs.

Cluster Munitions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to seek international agreement on stricter controls on the use of cluster munitions.

Douglas Alexander: The UK believes cluster munitions should be usedas the UK doesin accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law. To this end the UK has, along with other countries, initiated a questionnaire for State Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons on how they apply international humanitarian law in armed conflict in using cluster and other munitions.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the operation of the rule of law in Colombia.

Douglas Alexander: Colombia has long had the relevant democratic institutions in place to promote the rule of law. The internal armed conflict has tested these severely. We have made plain our firm belief that the rule of law, including human rights and international humanitarian law, must be observed by all state actors at all times. We are concerned at the apparent impunity from the rule of law of some of those alleged to be responsible for serious violations of human rights. We have made clear to the Colombian Government that the law must be applied fairly and impartially to all citizens. Measures we have funded to help to strengthen the rule of law in Colombia include projects to address military and judicial reform and to bolster the role of civil society.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by his Department to address violence in Colombia.

Douglas Alexander: We have consistently maintained that a solution to the armed conflict in Colombia can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement between the illegal armed groups and the Colombian Government. We have called for the illegal armed groups to refrain from violence, to release the hostages they hold and to engage in talks with the Government. We have been funding training within the armed forces to improve human rights awareness, and have supported projects to strengthen the protection available to vulnerable communities and to improve the state's ability to monitor assistance and support given to displaced populations.
	The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council Conclusions of October 2005 set out the steps the EU is willing to take to facilitate the search for peace in Colombia. These include support to communities affected by the internal conflict, victims groups, local reconciliation activities, and the integration into society of former child soldiers, complementing existing programmes developed by United Nations Children's Fund and others.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by his Department to support victims of violence and human rights abuses in Colombia.

Douglas Alexander: One of the principal objectives of our embassy in Bogota is to promote human rights in Colombia, working with our partners. We regularly draw to the attention of the Colombian authorities specific human rights cases. We also support a range of projects aimed at improving human rights. These include training for judges in international humanitarian law, work to combat the sexual abuse of children, and help to build up the state's human rights alert mechanisms. We also actively support the role of civil society in seeking to address the country's problems. The EU has made it plain in the General Affairs and External Relations Council Conclusions of October 2005 that the rights of victims of the internal armed conflict must be respected in the search for a solution. Human rights will remain at the heart of our policy towards Colombia.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospect of free and fair elections in Colombia in March.

Douglas Alexander: The elections to the Colombian Senate in March will be an important demonstration of the strength of democracy in Colombia. We are encouraged at the registration of candidates for both houses of the Senate representing a wide range of political views.
	However, we are also concerned at the many reports that in some parts of Colombia people are seeking to influence the election campaign and the election outcome by undemocratic means. We urge all parties and persons involved in the election process to ensure that the campaign and voting on election day are free and fair. We welcome the intention of the Organisation of American States and others to monitor the process.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the use of torture in Columbia.

Douglas Alexander: Torture is a serious problem in Colombia, a country that has suffered from over 40 years of internal armed conflict which causes serious human rights abuses, internal displacement of the civilian population and poverty. A significant driver of the conflict is the trade in illegal drugs. Illegal armed groups are responsible for many cases of torture. We are aware that there are also allegations of torture by the Colombian security forces. We regularly bring to the attention of the Colombian government specific human rights cases, including where torture is suspected, and will continue to do so. Where there is credible evidence of wrong-doing, the Colombian government is obliged to take appropriate action.

Conflict Diamonds

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the trade in conflict diamonds.

Ian Pearson: The UK is a Participant of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), a set of politically-binding minimum common standards which control the international trade in rough diamonds, as well as stipulating various levels of transparency, monitoring and co-operation between participants. The Government Diamond Office (GDO), the authority overseeing UK implementation of the KPCS, is a Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The GDO issues certificates for exports of rough diamonds from the UK, collates statistics for the UK trade in rough diamonds and monitors implementation of the KPCS provisions within the UK, including through co-operating with HM Revenue and Customs on inspections of rough diamond shipments.

Conflict Diamonds

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made recently to African governments concerning the trade in conflict diamonds.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made specific representations to African Governments on the issue of conflict diamonds.
	However, the United Kingdom is committed to the international control of the trade in rough diamonds through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The scheme allows for multilateral action to review and encourage all Participants, including those in Africa, to improve controls over their diamond production and trade.

Conflict Diamonds

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the mining of and trade in conflict diamonds on West African economies; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Diamond production and trade is just one of the factors that impacts upon West African economies. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a set of politically-binding minimum common standards which control the international trade in rough diamonds, as well as stipulating various levels of transparency, monitoring and co-operation between participants. Under the terms of the Peer Review Mechanism within the KPCS, a Review Visit has been carried out in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Togo, while ad-hoc missions have been carried out in Liberia and specific monitoring measures are in place with regard to the conflict diamond situation in Cote d'Ivoire. These measures, together with those being undertaken via the three-year review process for the KPCS that is due to report in July 2006, have provided the KPCS, and the participants thereof, with an assessment of the impact of the Kimberley Process in addressing the issue of conflict diamonds upon West African economies. Sanctions have also proved a useful tool in restricting the flow of conflict diamonds.

Correspondence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Brent, East dated 28 February 2005 regarding Mr. Craig Murray.

Douglas Alexander: A reply was sent to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 27 February. I apologise for the delay in answering this letter which was due to an administrative error.

Correspondence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter of 7 December 2005 from Anas el-Banna about his father, Jamil el-Banna, sent to the Prime Minister and forwarded to his Department on 16 January.

Ian Pearson: My hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State (Kim Howells), replied to Anas el-Banna on 16 February.

Cyprus

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress being made in the reunification of Cyprus.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary recently visited Cyprus, Turkey and Greece to assess the prospects for resuming negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement and the reunification of the island. He encouraged all parties to take the necessary steps towards the removal of all obstacles to trade in the region, a settlement of the Cyprus problem and the normalisation of relations in all directions.
	The UN Secretary-General reported last November that progress towards a settlement had been negligible at best. We believe the absence of dialogue between the two communities is the greatest obstacle to progress. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary urged the leaders of both communities to find the courage and flexibility to move forward. We are concerned that the passage of time is making a settlement harder to achieve. In this context, we welcome recent examples of practical co-operation between the two communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports of renewed violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Douglas Alexander: Outbreaks of violence continue to be reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), predominantly in Ituri, the Kivus and North Katanga. Mostly these are localised but some clashes have a wider impact on the peace process. Recent fighting between the DRC army and rebels in North Kivu and North Katanga has had an impact on civilians, who have suffered abuses by all sides. Thousands have been displaced.
	The international community has frequently condemned the activities of militias and ill-disciplined soldiers and has reminded the Congolese Government of its responsibility to protect civilians. The robust approach taken by the UN Organisation Mission in the DRC to tackling these groups and protecting civilians was endorsed and underlined by UN Security Council Resolution 1653, adopted in January 2006.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps (a) the UK Government are taking and (b) he is taking through (i) civil society organisations, (ii) the United Nations and (iii) other means to protect civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo from intimidation, murder and other humanitarian atrocities; and what assessment he has made of the steps needed to improve measures to protect civilians in that country.

Ian Pearson: The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the ultimate responsibility to protect civilians in its territory. But years of civil war and decades of misrule have damaged the Government's ability to offer that protection. As well as rebel groups, unpaid and poorly-trained Congolese soldiers are also a threat to the civilians that they are supposed to protect. Reforming the army and security sector is therefore a high priority. The UK is working on this bilaterally and through providing experts to the EU army and police reform missions in DRC. The UN mission in DRC, with strong UK support, plays a key role both in protecting civilians and through its robust military action, often supporting Congolese military efforts, to neutralise the armed groups operating on DRC territory. The UK has allocated 55 million of bilateral support to DRC this financial year, part of which will support local civil society organisations.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Governments of (a) Uganda, (b) Rwanda and (c) Burundi concerning the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Douglas Alexander: British representatives in the Great Lakes region regularly discuss the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its border areas with the Governments to which they are accredited. We remind them of the need to respect Congolese territorial sovereignty and to work together to resolve the issue of the foreign armed groups in the region. We underline that there must be no external support for Congolese armed groups that try to disrupt the peace process and that the DRC must take action to deal with the armed groups on its soil. UN Security Council Resolution 1653 reinforced this message. We support the US-facilitated Tripartite Plus Commission which brings Ugandan, Rwandan, Burundian and Congolese Foreign Ministers together to find solutions to issues affecting the region.

Denmark

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Danish Prime Minister on the recent demonstrations in the Middle East and London.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Danish Foreign Minister on two occasions (2 February and 5 February) to discuss reactions to the caricatures of Islamic religious figures that appeared in some European media. He has not spoken to the Danish Prime Minister but my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has done so.

Departmental Energy Costs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 200405.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent the following amount on electricity and gas at home and overseas in the financial year 200405.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Electricity  
			 Residential 7,043,694.49 
			 Non-residential 2,237,515.03 
			 Total electricity 9,281,209.52 
			   
			 Gas  
			 Residential 1,052,469.27 
			 Non-residential 95,779.57 
			 Total gas 1,148,248.84

Departmental Entertainment

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on entertainment by his Department in 200405; and how much of that sum is accounted for by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation.

Jack Straw: The total spent against the entertainment budget in 200405 was 4,208,805.55. This expenditure was spent on entertainment of official contacts in furtherance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's objectives. This expenditure would include the costs of food, drink and sundries when official contacts were entertained at an officer's home, the costs of employing extra domestic staff solely for a representational event, and the cost of entertaining official contacts at external venues, eg restaurants, hotels etc. Additional expenditure on entertainment will have been put to other budgets, eg the FRAIS allowance paid to heads of missions for their expenses is used in part to meet the costs of official entertaining, but it is not possible to identify this separately.
	Expenditure on entertainment is not broken down into the requested categories, and to obtain this information would require analysis of each individual invoice. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many job advertisements were placed by his Department (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what (i) total and (ii) average cost in each case.

Ian Pearson: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) appointments are advertised on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk.
	The number of job advertisements placed by the FCO and FCO Services is as follows:
	
		
			 2006 to date Number Total cost () Average cost () 
		
		
			 Print 20 56,686 2,834 
			 Website 4 3,333 833 
			 Total 24 60,019 2,501 
			 2005
			 Print 132 495,920 3,757 
			 Website 9 6,032 670 
			 Total 141 501,952 3,560 
			 
			 2004
			 Print 87 298,623 3,432 
			 Website 5 300 60 
			 Total 92 298,923 3,249 
			 
			 2003
			 Print 83 285,582 3,441 
			 Website 0 0 0 
			 Total 83 285,582 3,441 
			 
			 2002
			 Print 156 518,589 3,324 
			 Website 4 760 190 
			 Total 160 519,589 3,246 
			 
			 2001
			 Print 161 511,561 3,158 
			 Website 1 475 475 
			 Total 162 512,036 3,141

Departmental Resource Accounts

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) nature and (b) value is of the obsolescent consumables identified on page 44 of his Department's Resource Accounts for 200405; how many of them there were; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Items net book value Amount () 
		
		
			 Vehicles 37 150,113.44 
			 Information and communications  equipment 38 154,523.77 
			 Plant and machinery 8 32,088.44 
		
	
	All items were identified as having been disposed of, but action had not been taken to remove them from the asset register.

Departmental Resource Accounts

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the nature was of the out of date consular vignettes written off in the 200405 Resource Accounts; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not use consular vignettes. The stockpile of out of date visa vignettes, which were to be replaced by new photo vignettes from 1 April 2005, was written off because of supplier production problems.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were employed in his Department in each of the last 12 months for which data is available; and how many and what percentage of posts were vacant in each region in each month.

Ian Pearson: The number of UK based staff employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for each of the past 12 months are shown in the following table. Staff are deployed in a large number of locations overseas and, in the UK, in London and Hanslope Park, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. It is difficult to quantify vacancies on a month-by-month basis in a meaningful way, or on a regional basis. Generally FCO staff change jobs on a two to four yearly basis, often involving moves between the UK and overseas. Not every job is therefore necessarily filled immediately but gaps do not necessarily represent jobs available to be filled from outside the FCO.
	
		
			 Month Number of staff (Headcount) 
		
		
			 February 2005 6,115 
			 March 2005 6,115 
			 April 2005 6,145 
			 May 2005 6,104 
			 June 2005 6,084 
			 July 2005 6,080 
			 August 2005 6,098 
			 September 2005 6,027 
			 October 2005 6,087 
			 November 2005 6,032 
			 December 2005 6,125 
			 January 2006 6,106

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any (a) employee of his Department, (b) person engaged by his Department as a consultant and (c) paid adviser to his Department is a member of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Lord Triesman, as a Minister, receives a salary from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Lord Carter of Coles has acted as a non-paid consultant. We have no record of any other member of the House of Lords being employed by, or acting as a consultant or advisor to, the FCO.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed in his private office in each year since 1997.

Jack Straw: Prior to October 2001, Foreign and Commonwealth Office electronic staffing records do not distinguish between Private Offices. An annual snapshot taken at 1 January records the following staffing figures for the Secretary of State's Office:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002 15 
			 2003 15 
			 2004 17 
			 2005 17 
			 2006(77) 13 
		
	
	(77) The 2006 figure has been reduced partly by the transfer of two staff to a ministerial correspondence unit.

Departmental Staff

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances personnel in his Department receive funding for the private education of family members; and how many have received such funding in the last 12 months.

Jack Straw: It is a condition of employment that members of the diplomatic service must be prepared to serve anywhere in the world at any time during their career, sometimes at very short notice. Those with children also have the legal obligation as parents to ensure that their children receive a full-time education from the age of five years. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) therefore makes provision to help staff meet these potentially conflicting obligations in two circumstances:
	Children who accompany their parents on postings overseas are expected to use free state schooling if it is available locally and is of a suitable standard. But at posts where no suitable schooling is available free-of-charge locally, education fees can be refunded to enable children to receive the education they would be entitled to in the UK.
	With staff moving every 1248 months and education facilities at posts' locations overseas varying, continuity of education can be problematic particularly during the important exam years. The FCO also enables children to board at school in the UK while their parents remain subject to the worldwide mobility obligation.
	The FCO has paid school fees for children of approximately 1,100 members of staff over the last 12 months.

Diplomats (Language Training)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost of language training for diplomats was in the most recent years for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: The total cost of language training charged to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) account was:
	
		
			 Financial year Amount () 
		
		
			 200203 3,101,000 
			 200304 5,717,000 
			 200405 4,265,000 
		
	
	The figures include training costs in the UK and overseas for FCO officers and their spouses/officially recognised partners.

Egypt

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Ministers in his Department are preparing to hold talks with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: At present, there are no meetings planned between Ministers and representatives of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.
	We have always had contacts with elected members of the People's Assembly and will continue to do so. Contact with elected parliamentarians that use peaceful means to achieve their objectives is normal diplomatic practice. In recent years, this has included members of the People's Assembly that are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterparts regarding the possibility of holding discussions with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: None.

Egypt

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact members of his Department have had with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Officials at the British embassy in Cairo have had infrequent contact with members of the People's Assembly aligned with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the last six months.

Egypt

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood has supported terrorist organisations in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I have seen no credible evidence that the current leadership of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood supports terrorist organisations in the Middle East.

Egypt

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of support offered by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood to Hamas; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: While there are contacts between the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas leaders, we have no evidence of any direct financial or other support given by the Muslim Brotherhood to Hamas.

EU Fraud

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government holds records on EU fraud allegations made by whistleblowers.

Douglas Alexander: As the hon. Member would expect, the Government does hold some information on fraud allegations made by whistleblowers such as diplomatic and media reporting.

EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the operation of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government asked for further information from the European Commission about the agreement which we received on 16 February. We will carefully analyse this and further information before reaching a position on the draft agreement.

European Constitution

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) mechanisms have been put in place and (b) activities are taking place in relation to the period of reflection on the European Constitution called for by the Prime Minister on 30 May 2005; what initiatives are aimed at engaging the public; and what consultation has taken place.

Douglas Alexander: Information about UK Government activitiesand the activities of other EU member statesduring the period of reflection can be found in the Interim report on the national debates during the reflection period on the future of Europe. This joint report by the UK and Austrian presidencies of the EU was placed in the Library of the House on 16 January 2006.

Extradition

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on diplomatic immunity within the United Kingdom where a foreign court has made a request for extradition involving human rights.

Jack Straw: The UK is obliged to honour its international obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 31 of the Convention grants immunity to a diplomatic agent from the criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction of the receiving state, except in cases relating to property, succession, or professional and commercial activity in which the diplomat has acted in a private capacity. Article 29 provides that the person of a diplomat shall be inviolable, and that he shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. Any request for extradition of a diplomat could only be given effect if a waiver of his/her immunity were granted. Any decision to request such a waiver would be made on the merits of the case.

G8 Summit

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what planning applications his Department made for the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 200405; and how many were (a) granted and (b) refused.

Ian Pearson: No applications for planning permission were made by this Department in 200405 for the G8 Summit at Gleneagles.

Gibraltar

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Gibraltar on protecting from destruction the Rosia Water Tanks on Gibraltar.

Douglas Alexander: The site of the Rosia Water Tanks falls within the scope of the Defined Domestic Matters where authority is devolved to the Government of Gibraltar. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made any representations to the Government of Gibraltar on this matter.

Haiti

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of electoral fraud in the recent elections in Haiti.

Douglas Alexander: We have not received official reports of electoral fraud in the recent elections in Haiti, but we are aware of allegations that have appeared in the media. A number of international observer missions, including one sent by the European Union, have been monitoring the elections and we expect their reports shortly.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, columns 24823W, on identity cards, what the policy issues relating to use of or access to identity cards overseas that required clarification were; and whether clarification has been provided.

Douglas Alexander: The policy issues relating to the use of identity cards that I referred to in my answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, columns 24823 W), concern the consular premium charge applied to each passport to support consular assistance, the ability of posts to issue emergency travel documents should a British National lose his or her identity card whilst using it for travel in the EU, and whether or not posts will issue identity cards overseas. Decisions on these issues can only be taken once the Identity Cards Bill has passed both Houses of Parliament and the framework for the overall identity card scheme has been finalised.

Indian Ocean (Response)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the implementation of the recommendations of the October 2005 report, Joint Findings on lessons to be learned from the handling of the response to the Indian Ocean.

Douglas Alexander: The joint National Audit Office (NAO)/Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) report makes a number of helpful recommendations. The FCO will be implementing all of these.
	As the NAO acknowledge, much has been done since the Tsunami. International SOS and British Red Cross Society now deploy as part of all Rapid Deployment Teams (RDT) where there is operational need; they did so in our response to both the bombings in Sharm-el-Sheikh and Hurricane Wilma. We now have a fully trained RDT based in Hong Kong. A North American RDT will be ready for this year's hurricane season. We have improved call handling arrangements with the police; strengthened co-ordination arrangements with other government departments; and have introduced extensive crisis training for all heads of posts and out-of-hours duty officers overseas.

International Organisations/Bilateral Treaties

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the (a) international organisations of which the UK is a member and (b) bilateral treaties under which the UK has obligations.

Kim Howells: Comprehensive lists of both the international organisations of which the UK is a member, and bilateral treaties under which the UK has obligations, are not centrally held, and to draw up such lists would incur disproportionate costs. However, a list of orders made under section 1 of the International Organisations Act 1968 can be found in the notes to section 1 in Halsbury's Statutes, Volume 10, which is held in the Library of the House. This list shows the international organisations of which the UK is a member on which privileges and immunities have been granted under the Act.
	There are many thousands of treaties under which the UK may have obligations. Lists of some, though not all, bilateral extradition and civil procedure conventions, together with the full texts of a range of bilateral treaties on Investment Promotion and Protection, Transfer of Prisoners, Enforcement of Judgements and Mutual Legal Assistance can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website's treaty pages: http://www.fco.gov.uk/treaty. Additionally, since January 2002, the full text of every treaty published as a Command Paper has been placed on the FCO's treaty webpages on the day it is published and laid before Parliament.

Iran

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of which groups (a) advocating and (b) engaging in terrorist acts are receiving financial support from Iran.

Kim Howells: We believe that Iran funds and has strong connections to Lebanese Hizballah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and that it provides financial support to Hamas. We continue to investigate Iran's links to extremist groups in Iraq.

Iran

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of how far Iran is from acquiring technologies necessary for the production of a nuclear weapon.

Kim Howells: According to Iran's latest declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the only method of fissile material production Iran is now pursuing is centrifuge enrichment and the associated production of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) feed material by uranium conversion. In August 2005 Iran began large scale conversion activities. In February 2006 Iran resumed centrifuge enrichment on a small scale, and announced its intention to pursue commercial scale enrichment activities. If Iran were to master centrifuge enrichment technologies, it would be in a position to produce high enriched uranium suitable for use in nuclear weapons. We assess that it has not yet done so.
	The IAEA has reported that Iran has in its possession a document describing the procedures for the reduction of UF6 to uranium metal in small quantities, and the casting of enriched and depleted uranium metal into hemispheres, which can be used as nuclear weapon components. Iran has not so far explained satisfactorily its possession of this document. Information has also been made available to the IAEA concerning possible Iranian work on the design of a missile re-entry vehicle which could have a military nuclear dimension. Iran has refused to discuss this information with the IAEA.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what deals to supply armaments to authorities in Iraq since March 2003 the Government has received reports of; whether any of the (a) dealers and (b) brokers involved (i) are from the UK and (ii) have UK connections; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: All goods on the UK Military List require a licence to be exported from the UK under the Export Control Act 2002. Trade controls implemented under this Act (in March 2004 and May 2004) have also made trafficking and brokering in military equipment between overseas countries a licensable activity where any part of the activity takes place in the UK. The Government has also implemented extraterritorial controls (i.e. applying to the activities of UK persons anywhere in the world, as well as to activities carried out within the UK by persons of any nationality). These controls cover any act calculated to promote the supply or delivery of military goods from an overseas country to destinations subject to non-binding UN sanctions and full scope EU, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe or UK arms embargoes. This includes Iraq.
	General trade sanctions against Iraq were revoked by the UN Security Council resolution 1483 (22 May 2003), implemented in UK legislation on 14 June 2003 by the Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2003 [S.I. 2003/1519]. The embargo on arms and related material was retained, with exemptions. All licences granted for exports to Iraq fall within the exemptions to the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council resolutions 1483 (22 May 2003) and 1546 (8 June 2004), because they were required by the Coalition Provisional Authority, the Government of Iraq or the Multinational Force to serve the purpose of the resolutions.
	Details of all licences approved by the Government for the export of military equipment to Iraq are contained within the Annual and Quarterly Reports on UK Strategic Export Controls. Copies are available at www.fco.gov.uk or from the Library of the House. Information on licences issued to specific entities cannot be placed in the public domain owing to commercial confidentiality. However, the Government provides the House's Quadripartite Committee on Strategic Export Controls with a confidential report containing enhanced licensing information on Iraq to enable them comprehensively to scrutinise Government licensing decisions.

Iraq

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of private security companies contracted to his Department and operating in Iraq, between April 2003 and December 2005.

Kim Howells: The total contractual costs of private security companies contracted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and operating in Iraq, between April 2003 and December 2005, was 110,342,718.

Iraq

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of (a) securing and (b) setting up the British Embassy buildings and compounds in (i) Baghdad and (ii) Basrah following the handover of sovereignty to the Iraqis; and what the cost was of securing the office for the UK representation in Kirkuk.

Jack Straw: Work to create our present Embassy and Consulate-General facilities in Baghdad and Basra respectively began under the Coalition Provisional Authority and is now nearing completion at an estimated total capital cost of 55 million, of which approximately 20 per cent. can be attributed to the capital costs of security works and installations. In Kirkuk the UK representative is located on the US compound, where office accommodation is provided at no capital cost.

Kashmir

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with (a) Pakistan and (b) India on promoting the self-determination of the people of Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed Kashmir with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to India in September 2005. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed the situation in Kashmir with Indian and Pakistani counterparts during his visit to both countries in February 2005. Officials also regularly discuss the situation in Kashmir with Indian and Pakistani Ministers and officials. The Government fully support the ongoing Composite Dialogue between India and Pakistan, which includes the issue of Kashmir. We will continue to urge both countries to seek a lasting resolution to their dispute over Kashmir, which takes into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir. As a friend of both countries, we stand ready to consider any requests for assistance that they might make.

Kenya

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the progress of anti-corruption programmes in Kenya;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the level of corruption in Kenya.

Ian Pearson: We remain concerned about the level of corruption in Kenya. The dossier submitted to President Kibaki by John Githongo, the ex Permanent Secretary in the Office of Governance and Ethics, which details alleged corrupt practices, represents a moment of truth for the Kenyan Government in the fight against corruption. We note that three ministers have since resigned. We urge the Kenyan authorities to investigate fully and diligently the claims contained within the dossier and, where evidence of wrongdoing is established, ensure that firm and appropriate action is taken against those involved.

Land Mines

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions are available under international agreements to take action against those countries that continue to lay land mines.

Douglas Alexander: The Ottawa convention, to which the UK is a signatory, bans the use of anti-personnel land mines. However, there is no formal provision for sanctions under the Ottawa convention or any other international agreement against countries which continue to lay anti-personnel land mines.

Mr. Victor Bout

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1335W, on Mr. Victor Bout, what discussions he has had with the US authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: No Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister has discussed with US authorities the specific matter of whether to include Mr. Victor Bout on a list of those subject to UN sanctions for arms trafficking. However, in discussions at the UN in 2003 and 2004, UK officials pressed strongly to ensure that Mr. Victor Bout was included among those subjected to a travel ban and assets freeze pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions 1521 and 1532. These discussions took place between the UK and other Security Council partners, including the United States.
	The travel ban and assets freeze were applied to Mr. Bout for dealing in arms in contravention of the arms embargo on Liberia, and for supporting members of the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor in their efforts to destabilise Sierra Leone and gain access to illicit diamonds. The UK continues to support these measures against Mr. Bout.

Mr. Victor Bout

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1335W, on Mr. Victor Bout, whether any (a) Minister and (b) official has had discussions on this matter.

Kim Howells: In discussions at the UN in 2003 and 2004, we pressed strongly to ensure that Mr. Victor Bout was included among those subjected to a travel ban and assets freeze pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions 1521 and 1532. These discussions took place at official level.
	The travel ban and assets freeze were applied to Mr. Bout for dealing in arms in contravention of the arms embargo on Liberia, and for supporting members of the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor in their efforts to destabilise Sierra Leone and gain access to illicit diamonds. The UK continues to support these measures against Mr. Bout.

Nigeria

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Nigerian Government about the decision of Kano members of parliament to burn the Danish and Norwegian flags.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. friend the Foreign Secretary discussed a wide range of issues of common concern when he met President Obasanjo and the Nigerian Foreign Minister in Abuja on 14 February, including relations between the EU and the Muslim world.
	We are aware that Danish and Norwegian flags were burnt by members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and we condemn such actions. We understand the offence caused to many by the publication in European newspapers of caricatures depicting Islamic religious figures and regret this. But any acts of violence over this issue, including attacks directed against Danish and Norwegian personnel and property, are unacceptable. It is incumbent on us all to act responsibly to calm the situation. We support action by the Danish and Norwegian Governments, and other international leaders, to resolve the issue.

Nigeria

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of political instability in Nigeria.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Nigeria from 1315 February and had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues concerning Nigeria with senior Nigerians, including President Obasanjo. Free and fair elections in 2007 are a central part of the important reform process.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also visited the Niger Delta and discussed with the Government, commercial and civil society representatives the causes of the instability in the region. He commended President Obasanjo's determination to find a peaceful solution to the problems in the Niger Delta. The UK will continue to work with the Nigerian Government and other key players to promote better security and sustainable development in the Delta and elsewhere in Nigeria.

North Korea

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of (a) political activists and (b) journalists detained in (i) Iran and (ii) North Korea.

Kim Howells: We are deeply concerned at the situation of political activists and journalists in Iran. The Iranian authorities impose significant restrictions on freedom of expression. Numerous prisoners of conscience, such as Akbar Ganji and his lawyer Abdolfattah Soltani, remain in detention. In addition, many journalists and webloggers have been held in the past year, including Mojtaba Saminejad and Arash Sigarchi. We are unable to produce reliable estimates of the total numbers who have been held, and the Iranian authorities do not issue official statistics. In addition to those who have been detained, many journalists and human rights defenders have been intimidated. Ministers and senior officials have pressed the Iranian authorities on many occasions to address international concerns in this area.
	Evidence of human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is difficult to validate given the closed nature of the DPRK regime. This is why the UK and the rest of the international community continue to press the DPRK to engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms and allow international monitors to inspect prison camps.

North Korea

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in (a) Iran and (b) North Korea.

Kim Howells: In Iran, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms has deteriorated over the past few years. International NGOs report that more juvenile offenders were executed in 2005 than in any recent year. The unelected Guardians Council disqualified large numbers of candidates from standing in parliamentary elections in February 2004 and the presidential election in May 2005. Freedom of expression and freedom of association have been seriously restricted, and human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists and members of religious and ethnic minorities have been detained for peacefully expressing their political views. Ministers and officials press the Iranian authorities on these concerns very frequently, both bilaterally and through the European Union (EU). All EU member states co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly in December 2005.
	We also share the international community's serious concerns about reports of human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on human rights in the DPRK in November 2005 by a large majority. Together with our international partners, we continue to request the DPRK authorities to allow independent monitors access to the country to verify or disprove reports of violations.
	We raise human rights issues regularly with the DPRK authorities via our embassy in Pyongyang and the DPRK's embassy in London. During his visit to Pyongyang in September 2004, my hon. Friend, the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Bill Rammell, urged the North Korean authorities to allow a visit by the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the DPRK, which they continue to refuse to do. In his January 2006 report on the human rights situation in the DPRK, the Special Rapporteur noted major challenges in regard to the rights to food and to life, the rights to security of the person and to humane treatment, the rights to freedom of movement, asylum and refugee protection, and various political and other rights such as self-determination and freedom of expression, association and religion.

North Korea

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the status of the Joint Statement of the Six Party talks on North Korea issued on 19 September 2005.

Ian Pearson: We welcome the confirmation in the 19 September 2005 statement by the participants in the Six Party Talks process of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. We urge the DPRK to resume engagement in the Six Party Talks at an early date, so as to implement the commitments set out in the 19 September statement.

North Korea

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (a) what assessment he has made of Korea's nuclear weapons programme and (b) transfer of nuclear technologies.

Kim Howells: The Government have, for some time, had serious concerns about the nuclear programme and nuclear weapons ambitions of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We take every opportunity to raise these concerns in our dealings with the DPRK Government.
	The DPRK claims to have reprocessed the 8,000 spent fuel rods removed from the 25 megawatt reactor at Yongbyon in 1994. If these claims are true, the DPRK could have extracted sufficient plutonium for up to seven nuclear warheads.
	We also believe the DPRK is pursuing efforts towards production of highly enriched uranium, based on centrifuge enrichment technology which the Pakistani scientist AQ Khan has admitted supplying to the DPRK. We have no evidence that the DPRK has transferred its nuclear technology to any other state.

Overseas Postings

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list overseas postings which are open to non-civil service staff; and if he will list the occupants with (a) date of appointment and (b) method of selection.

Jack Straw: Two high commissioner positions in Canberra and Pretoria are filled by political appointees (Helen Liddell and Paul Boateng). Both joined the diplomatic service on 9 May 2005 for the duration of their postings. There are no other overseas postings currently filled by non civil servants at the time of their appointment. However the Foreign and Commonwealth Office does open postings to public competition when appropriate.
	The ambassador to the Holy See position was filled by open competition in 2005. The successful candidate, Francis Campbell, was a member of the diplomatic service who had been on special unpaid leave working with a non-governmental organisation.
	Overseas postings that were open to public competition in the past include consul general positions in Mumbai, Toronto and Sao Paulo.

Pakistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Pakistani authorities on the recent attacks on a church in (a) Kawanwali and (b) Sialkot Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have not yet made any representations to the Pakistani authorities on the recent attacks against Christians in Kawanlit, in Sialkot district, Pakistan. We are currently investigating the matter. We are deeply concerned that such an attack occurred so soon after the November 2005 rioting and attacks against Christians in Sangla Hills, Lahore.

Pakistan

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Pakistan.

Kim Howells: The key to a stable political situation in Pakistan is a guarantee that the 2007 parliamentary elections in that country are seen to be free and fair. Together with our EU and international partners, we are urging Pakistan to appoint an independent election commissioner to bring that about.

Palestine/Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent statements by the acting Israeli Prime Minister on incorporation of settlement blocs in the west bank into Israel, the status of Jerusalem and redefining the borders of Israel; and what representations he is making to the Israeli Government on the matter.

Kim Howells: We are concerned by acting Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's recent comments about incorporating the settlement blocs around Jerusalem into Israel, the status of Jerusalem and redefining the borders of Israel. We have made our concerns clear on these matters. Final status issues can only be resolved through negotiations and agreement between both parties under phase 3 of the Roadmap.
	We regard east Jerusalem as an occupied territory and regard any unilateral attempts to change the status of Jerusalem as invalid. We also hold that the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 242 on the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the 1967 war apply to east Jerusalem.
	The Roadmap calls on Israel to dismantle all outposts and settlements built since March 2001 in the occupied territories.

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of his Department.

Jack Straw: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	Liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme37 billion;
	deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing12.7 billion;
	current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants34.4 billion.
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also provides for agreed programmes of early retirement for its UK-based staff, the combined net present value of which for both present and former employees is 27.86 million. There are also several pension schemes in operation for local staff overseas. The combined net present value of this liability for both present and former employees is 38.9 million.

Russia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Russia regarding the need to ensure that victims of torture in Chechnya receive justice.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly raises the issue of human rights in Chechnya with his counterpart in the Russian Government. Most recently, the EU-Russia human rights dialogue chaired by UK presidency in September 2005 included discussion of judicial reform in Chechnya. Reports of ongoing incidents of such human rights abuses including torture, abductions and murder are unfortunately still commonplace in the region. We have emphasised to the Russian side the importance of confronting the prevailing culture of impunity and ensuring that the perpetrators of these abuses are brought to justice.

Rwanda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Rwanda regarding the security of genocide survivors.

Ian Pearson: The Government, through its embassy in Rwanda, has regular discussions with the Rwandan Government about security. The Rwandan Government is committed at the highest levels to protecting survivors from threats or violence. The Rwanda National Police has assured us that it investigates all allegations of crimes against genocide survivors and witnesses involved in genocide related gacaca trials. The gacaca criminal justice system requires that witnesses should be able to come forward in safety. It is therefore in the Government of Rwanda's interest to investigate all allegations of witness intimidation. However a full witness protection programme would be near impossible with over 750,000 cases.

Rwanda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that survivors of the Rwandan genocide are subject to violence and intimidation by genocidaires given amnesty.

Ian Pearson: There have been some reports that survivors of the Rwanda genocide have been violently targeted and intimidated by perpetrators of the genocide. But there is little evidence to suggest that those who were imprisoned because of their involvement in the genocide and have since been freed through the prisoner amnesty are particularly likely to carry out such attacks. The Rwandan National Police has assured us that any violent offence would be dealt with by the Rwandan justice system. The Rwandan Government is committed at the highest levels to protecting survivors and witnesses in the gacaca traditional justice process from threats or violence.

Rwanda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of the project of national reconciliation following the Rwandan genocide.

Ian Pearson: In the 12 years since the genocide, Rwanda has made impressive efforts at reconciliation and reconstruction. Reconciliation is central to government policy. The Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission works with different groups to educate the population and promote reconciliation. And the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission holds re-education with a strong reconciliation theme in camps for returnees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
	Perhaps the greatest progress the Government of Rwanda has made to ensure national reconciliation has been to provide an environment of peace and security and by establishing the basis for economic development and poverty reduction. However, there are growing international concerns about increasing government charges of divisionism and genocidal ideology against individuals. These potentially impact on national and local reconciliation.

San Salvador Office

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the nature was of the losses involved in the closure and sale of the San Salvador office; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend, the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, gave my noble Friend, Lord Lamont of Lewick on 17 November 2004, Official Report, column 163.

Saudi Arabia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Saudi Arabia concerning their Foreign Minister's call for a nuclear weapons free Middle East; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK and Saudi Arabia have both supported resolutions of the UN General Assembly calling for a zone in the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed Iran and Middle East security with Saudi interlocutors on many occasions, including when he met His Royal Highness Prince Saud on 17 January.

Spain

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Spanish Government required salvage work on HMS Sussex to be halted; on what grounds; and what the response was of the UK Government.

Douglas Alexander: The Spanish authorities intervened on several occasions in January 2006 to prevent work at the site of what we believe could be the Sussex. Work was last carried out on the wreck site on 19 January 2006.
	Spain believes that the wreck lies in Spanish waters, and that the company excavating the site on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, Odyssey Marine Exploration, should therefore seek permission from Spain to continue their work.
	We believe that the wreck lies in international waters, and have made the Spanish Government aware of our views. We are currently working with the Government of Spain and Odyssey Marine Exploration to find a solution, and to allow work to proceed unhindered.

Sri Lanka

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role officials from his Department have played in preparations for the forthcoming talks between the government of Sri Lanka and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Geneva on 2223 February to improve implementation of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement are being facilitated by the Government of Norway with co-operation from the Swiss authorities. We commend and fully support the facilitation role of Norway. I issued a statement on 26 January welcoming the two sides' agreement to talks, the first direct high level contacts since 2003. The text is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec =Pagecid=1007029391629a=KArticleaid= 1136908287836%20year=2006month=2006 0101date=20060126. We have encouraged both sides to engage constructively in Geneva. We hope these talks will create the conditions necessary for more substantive discussions leading to a resolution of the conflict.

Sudan

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent UN report on breaches of the arms embargo on Darfur; and what action he is taking in response.

Ian Pearson: We welcome the thorough report by the Panel of Experts, established under UN Security Council Resolution 1591, and are concerned by its findings that all sides are guilty of breaching the arms embargo on Darfur. We strongly support the Panel's recommendations for modifying the arms embargo, including extending it to the whole of Sudan. During the ongoing discussions in the UN Sanctions Committee on Sudan, we are pressing for swift action on this and the Panel's other recommendations, including listing of individuals for targeted sanctions.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress which has been made towards incorporating the Sudanese People's Liberation Army into the Sudanese army.

Douglas Alexander: Under the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) the parties agreed that the northern Sudanese armed forces and the southern Sudanese People's Liberation Army should remain separate during the interim period. However, the CPA also stipulates that joint integrated units of equal numbers from each side should be formed and deployed in four areas of the country. This process has started and some progress has been made. Many of the security-related elements of CPA implementation fall to the new Joint Defence Board (JDB) to implement. This board comprises senior commanders from the north and south, and was formed on 28 November 2005. We are pressing both parties to ensure that the JDB pushes forward with creation of the joint integrated units and to play their part in fully implementing their commitments under the CPA.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Abeyei.

Douglas Alexander: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed on 9 January, established a commission to demarcate the boundary of the disputed Abyei area. This commission, to which the UK provided an expert, presented its final report to the presidency of Sudan in July 2005.
	The Misseriya tribe initially objected to the findings of the report, causing increased tension between it and another local tribethe Dinka. The situation in Abyei has been generally calm and a number of UN monitors are deployed to monitor the area.
	Under the terms of the CPA, the commission's findings are final and binding. We are pressing the Government of National Unity urgently to implement the commission's recommendations. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, pressed the Sudanese Foreign Minister on this on 3 February in London. We will continue to do so.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the US Administration regarding the potential for a UN peace-enforcement mission in Darfur;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan regarding the establishment of a UN mission in Darfur;
	(3)  what recent discussions he has had with the African Union regarding the establishment of a UN mission in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We welcome the African Union's (AU) decision at the 12 January Peace and Security Council (PSC) expressing support in principle to handing over its monitoring mission in Darfur (AMIS) to the UN. The PSC recommended that this decision be approved by AU Foreign Ministers before the end of the current AMIS mandate in March 2006. We have held numerous discussions on the potential handover of AMIS to the UN with the AU and international partners, including the US. We are pressing the AU to convene the Foreign Ministers meeting as soon as possible. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, also discussed the matter in some depth with the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr. Lam Akol where they pressed him to ensure that the Government of Sudan provided their full cooperation with any transition between the two organisations.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects a UN force to be on the ground in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: On 12 January 2006, the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) expressed support in principle to handing over its monitoring mission in Darfur (AMIS) to the UN. The PSC recommended that this decision be approved by the African Union (AU) Foreign Ministers before the end of the current AMIS mandate in March 2006. We are pressing the AU to take this decision as a matter of urgency. If the AU do agree to hand over to the UN, it is likely that the UN will require between six and 10 months to make the necessary arrangement to take over the mission.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan regarding violence in the east of Sudan;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the prospect of a peaceful resolution to violence in the east of Sudan.

Ian Pearson: The Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front, the main rebel grouping in Eastern Sudan, were scheduled to bring negotiations in Sirte, Libya, on 7 February 2006. The UK was invited to attend these talks as an observer and stood ready to assist the process where possible. On 6 February, the Eastern Front announced that they would not participate in these talks. We are in regular contact with the Eastern Front and the Government of Sudan and are pressing them to begin negotiations at the earliest opportunity.
	We continue to urge both sides to exercise restraint and to negotiate a political settlement within the framework of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Most recently my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, met the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr. Lam Akol, on 3 February. During this meeting they pressed Dr. Akol on the need to reach a swift agreement with the Eastern Front.

Sudan

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other members of the United Nations on (a) funds available for the African Union Mission in Sudan and (b) plans for a United Nations Mission to take over from the AU; and what plans there are for joint working and cooperation between AU and UN forces.

Ian Pearson: We are in regular discussions with international partners, the UN and the African Union (AU) on how to ensure ongoing funding for the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) and how best to support any transition to a UN force.
	The AU and UN plan an international pledging conference shortly to consider funding. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn, announced this week that the UK will contribute 20 million for the coming financial year, and we are urging other donors to make significant contributions as well. We are also pushing within the European Union for a replenishment as soon as possible of the EU African Peace Facility, which has been a core element of AMIS funding but cannot currently guarantee support beyond April.
	We welcome the decision in principle by the AU Peace and Security Council on 12 January to hand over the peacekeeping mission in Sudan to the UN, and look forward to a final decision as soon as possible. We are in regular discussion with other UN members, the UN and the AU on how any transition would be managed and how international partners could assist, including planning and logistical support. We will continue to encourage the UN and AMIS to co-ordinate their work wherever possible.

Sudan

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UN mandate applying to Darfur, Sudan.

Ian Pearson: There is currently no UN mandate covering peacekeeping operations in Darfur, where operations are being conducted by African Union personnel (AMIS) on the basis of an Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union (AU) and the Government of Sudan. The UK and other international partners recently participated in a joint assessment mission with the AU. This concluded that AMIS' current mandate is adequate, but is not clearly understood by commanders at all levels. We will continue to press the AU to interpret its mandate flexibly and robustly in order to provide the necessary degree of protection to civilians within its capabilities.

UN Human Rights Council

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the UN Human Rights Council to be established.

Ian Pearson: Leaders agreed at the UN World Summit on 1416 September 2005 that a new UN Human Rights Council should be established as soon as possible during the current session of the General Assembly. We have worked hard to support the efforts of the president of the General Assembly to reconcile a range of different views on the mandate, function and modalities of the council, building on the existing Commission on Human Rights. We support his view that there is now a window of opportunity to agree on the council this month. We expect him to issue a final text on its establishment very shortly, with a view to its adoption by the General Assembly in the next two weeks. We are encouraging him to keep to this timetable, so long as it is not to the detriment of achieving an effective council. According to the latest draft text, the council would convene for the first time on 16 June 2006. We consider this realistic.

United Nations

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2006, Official Report, column 1908W what progress has been made by the African Union towards the establishment of an African stand-by force.

Ian Pearson: In March 2005 the African Union (AU) adopted a Roadmap for the Operationalisation of the African Stand-by Force (ASF). This commits the AU to establish the ASF based on five regional brigades, able to deploy complex peacekeeping missions by 2010.
	The first stage of the ASF Roadmap involves the creation of Planning Elements at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, and in each of the five regions to provide the AU with strategic level management capacity to co-deploy with the UN on observer missions. With the support of the UK and other international partners, the Planning Elements in East and West Africa have already been set up and are now completing recruitment. Progress is also being made by the AU in Addis Ababa and by the Southern brigade. Structures for the Central and Northern brigades are not yet as advanced.
	In parallel the AU, in collaboration with the Sub-Regional Organisations, is leading on the development of ASF policy in key military disciplines. Each region has been tasked with running one of five Technical Workshops covering Doctrine; Standard Operating Procedures; Command, Control, Communications and Information Systems; Logistics; and Training and Evaluation. Preparatory meetings were held in January and the Workshops are scheduled to take place over the next few months. The UK and our International Partners are providing technical and financial support to this process.
	The UK is fully committed to supporting the AU in the implementation of the ASF Roadmap. During our presidencies of the G8 and EU in 2005, the UK worked hard to ensure that specific commitments on the ASF were included in the G8 Communique and the EU Strategy for Africa, and we will continue to work with our G8, EU and African partners, towards achieving these goals.

United Nations

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2006 to question 50163, when the EU will decide whether to provide additional support to the UN forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Douglas Alexander: The EU is actively considering how best to provide support to the UN forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The subject will be discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 February 2006. However, further work is likely to be required to define the potential tasks and the resources required to fulfil them before a final decision can be taken.

United Nations

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2006 to question 50163, when the three options being considered in parallel will be decided upon; and when such considerations began.

Jack Straw: A rapid deployment capability for the UN was recommended in the Brahimi report on UN peacekeeping reform in 2000. Since then a number of working groups set up under the UN General Assembly, have studied the different options which may be available to the UN. The UN World Summit of September 2005 supported the further development of those options. The three options currently being considered by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and outlined in the answer of 14 February 2006, Official Report, column 1908W, continue to be developed, but are already being applied to an extent in practice.
	The timing of development of rapid deployment capabilities by regional organisations will vary from one organisation to another. The EU provided such a capability in support of the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003. The first standing EU battlegroup, available for rapid deployment in appropriate circumstances, was declared operational in January 2005. Full operational capacity of the EU battlegroup concept is due to be reached by 2007. The African Union plan to have capacity to manage complex peacekeeping operations by 2010.
	Flexible arrangements allowing the redeployment of troops between UN missions began this year between missions in Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire and Sierra Leone and provide a model that can be built upon in the future as appropriate where missions are in close proximity and where the appropriate capacities exist.
	The provision of a short term capability by one or more individual countries is still in the concept stage and there is no clear time-scale for this, although some arrangements already exist, such as the Stand-by Forces High Readiness Brigade established in 1996.
	The further development of these three options and the appropriate balance between them will be further considered by the UN General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping in March. The Committee's deliberations and subsequent report will provide DPKO with guidance on how best to develop these options in 2006.

United States

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, columns 78485W, on the United States, from which countries the former residents of the UK were transferred to Guantanamo Bay.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 13 February 2006
	Following the recent transfer of one individual from Guantanamo to Uganda, there are four remaining detainees in Guantanamo who were formerly settled in the UK (i.e. who had been granted indefinite leave to remain). Two of these individuals were detained in the Gambia before being transferred to Afghanistan and then to Guantanamo. A third, according to his lawyers, was detained in Pakistan and transferred to Afghanistan and then to Guantanamo. A fourth, according to unverified public sources, was also detained in Pakistan and transferred to Afghanistan and then Guantanamo.
	There is a fifth detainee in Guantanamo who may also have been settled in the UK, but we have not yet been able to confirm this.

Visas

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of visitor visa applications from (a) married and (b) unmarried men applying from (i) India, (ii) Pakistan and (iii) Bangladesh have been refused in each year since 1997.

Douglas Alexander: UKvisas does not break down their visit visa statistics by marital status and therefore cannot provide the information requested. However, UKvisas' annual statistics reports from financial year 200102 onwards are available online at www.ukvisas.gov.uk under Entry Clearance Facts and Figures. The reports show the total number of visit visa applications received, issued and refused at each Visa Section globally.

Western Sahara

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether previous EU-Morocco fisheries agreements have enabled EU vessels to have licences to fish in Saharawi waters.

Kim Howells: Under the European Community's fisheries agreement with Morocco that expired in 1999, licences provided to European vessels allowed activities within the Moroccan fisheries zone under the sovereignty of jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Works of Art

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 984W, on works of art, whether his Department has (a) facsimiles, (b) photos and (c) postcards of the stolen artwork.

Ian Pearson: The British embassy in Buenos Aires retains photocopies of the stolen artwork. These were obtained from images held by the Government Art Collection who have also circulated them in the Art Loss Register.

Zimbabwe

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that there may be a reversal in Zimbabwe's land redistribution policy; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: There is no evidence of any reversal in Zimbabwe's land redistribution policy. On 12 February, Zimbabwean Agriculture Minister Made, in response to a call from the Commercial Farmer's Union for a freeze on land seizures, stated that Zimbabwe's land policies were sound and would not be changed.
	These are the same policies that have been responsible for a drastic decline in Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, with millions now suffering from food insecurity.
	This Government, together with EU and other international partners, has condemned the chaotic and brutal land seizures, together with those other policies that have resulted in the fastest shrinking economy in the world.

Zimbabwe

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the levels of violence and intimidation of journalists in Zimbabwe.

Ian Pearson: The oppressive environment in which journalists try to operate in Zimbabwe shows no signs of improvement. In December 2005, authorities raided the offices of the Voice of the People, the only independent radio station operating within Zimbabwe. Harassment of its trustees and journalists continues.
	We condemn efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe to clamp down on the independent media and have raised this with them directly, most recently on 1 February. The African Commission for Human and People's Rights has recently passed a Resolution which calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of expression. We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to take heed of this.

Zimbabwe

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures his Government are taking to ensure that Zimbabwean beef licensed to import to the European Communities does not come from farms or stocks seized from their rightful owners.

Ian Pearson: The EU maintains targeted sanctions on the Government of Zimbabwe's leadership and major human rights abusers. These were first imposed in 2002 and have been extended annually since then. EU partners agreed on 31 January to roll-over these sanctions for a further year from 21 February.
	The EU's measures are kept under constant review. They do not include trade or economic sanctions which we believe would only harm further the Zimbabwean people who are already suffering from desperate economic conditions. In the absence of trade sanctions, the British Government cannot prescribe where private companies source their goods.

Zimbabwe

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent wave of arrests in Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe.

Douglas Alexander: We have received reports of more than 400 people, mostly women, being arrested in Harare and Bulawayo, during peaceful demonstrations.
	This is further evidence of the lack of respect the Government of Zimbabwe has consistently shown in recent years for human rights. Rather than hearing the concerns their people have about poor governance, and the dire state of the economy, the Government of Zimbabwe continues to use draconian legislation and force to suppress any criticism.
	The Government condemns the arrests of those involved in the peaceful demonstration by Women of Zimbabwe Arise. This included elderly women, children and students. Our ambassador, Dr Andrew Pocock, raised this with the Zimbabwean Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, on 15 February.

TREASURY

Advance Market Commitments

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent research he has assessed on Advance Market Commitments; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The UK has been working with other G7 Member States to consider how to stimulate private investment in vaccine R and D and accelerate the introduction of vaccines for developing countries. In December 2005, Italian Finance Minister Tremonti delivered a report to G8 Finance Ministers on AMCs for Vaccines entitled Advanced Market Commitments for Vaccines: A New Tool in the Fight Against Disease and Poverty. It concluded that AMCs are feasible, innovative and cost-effective market-based tools in the fight against global disease and poverty. G7 Finance Ministers have agreed to work with others on developing a pilot Advanced Market Commitment in 2006 and will consider a specific proposal at their April meeting.

Age-related Allowance

John Horam: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual saving to the Exchequer would be of withdrawing the age-related allowance where income exceeds the income limit.

Dawn Primarolo: Removal of the tapering of age-related allowances at incomes above the age-related income limit in 200506 would cost an additional estimated 580 million.
	The income tax information is based upon the 200304 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward to 200506 in line with 2005 pre-Budget assumptions.

Air Passenger Duty

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason transit flights are exempt from air passenger duty; and what estimate he has made of how much extra revenue would be raised per annum were such flights subject to this duty.

John Healey: Connecting flights are exempt from air passenger duty (APD) to ensure that passengers are not taxed twice for a journey simply because they have to make a connecting flight. HM Revenue and Customs' Public Notice 550 gives details of the criteria for this exemption. Not all transit flights qualify as connecting flights.
	HMRC do not collect data on the number of transit passengers that pass through UK airports or their final destinations, and are unable to estimate the possible extra revenue that charging APD on such passengers would raise.

Allsop Report

Graham Stringer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the implementation of the Allsop report on regional economic indices.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning progress on the implementation of the Allsopp report on regional economic indicators. (52742)
	A programme of work has been developed to take forward the report's recommendations. The following progress has been achieved to date:
	A regional breakdown of usual hours worked statistics was introduced to the Regional Labour Market First Release in December 2004.
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings was introduced in October 2004 to replace the New Earnings Survey providing more reliable estimates and allowing the production of time series from 1998 to 2004. It also includes for the first time explicit measures of quality which help users appreciate better the error margins in regional figures.
	Regional Prices, based on a full survey conducted in 2004, were published in 2005.
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) continues to develop the Neighbourhood Statistics Service (NeSS), with more employment and local business data now available.
	In order to improve public sector coverage in the Workforce Jobs Survey, a project was undertaken during 2005 aiming to include data from the new quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey in the workforce jobs system. These quality improvements were made in the figures published in December 2005 nationally and in regional releases in January 2006 when a public/private table was also included in the Labour Market first release.
	ONS published in 2005 estimates of Volume Indices of Capital Services (VICS) to support productivity work with better asset definition. New estimates of IT software investment will be published in February 2006 to support revisions to national accounts assets measures in 2007.
	Business Data Linking has been developed both as a tool for use by ONS and as a resource for researchers.
	Considerable progress is being made towards National Statistics status for the Index of Services (IOS) as a whole. Industry level aggregates are subject to an ongoing review; three industries were upgraded in November 2005; and decisions on a further seven will be announced in March 2006. The remainder will be reviewed over the course of 2006 and the status for the IOS as a whole will be assessed at the start of 2007.
	In addition, we continue to address other aspects of the imbalance between manufacturing and service sectors; this will be in part through the EU who have committed to addressing these imbalances on a EU wide scale (building on work here was an initiative of the UK EU Presidency last year).
	Overall, the critical path for delivery of the programme flows from the development of the design of the business surveys to the development and expansion of new and improved surveys, followed by the processing and analysis to produce the new Regional Accounts. Hence, development of the business register and initial work to develop business surveys are early projects that began in 2005/06.
	Work on investigating the suitability of administrative data sources to supplement or substitute for business survey data, as well as initial regional accounts development work, are other important early projects we are taking forward in parallel in order to inform the future development of business surveys.
	As part of the Pre-Budget Report, the Financial Secretary made an announcement which states that RDAs have agreed to work in partnership with ONS including providing some funding, to deliver a full regional statistical presence by Match 2007. Plans are in place to create a statistical presence in the regions by March 2007.

Al-Qaeda

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those organisations found to have links with Al-Qaeda where funds have been frozen; how much was involved in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: 123 organisations have been designated for asset freeze under the Al Qaeda and Taliban Order (2002). A consolidated list of individuals and entities subject to UK financial sanctions is available from the Bank of England website at:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/financialsanctions/current/index.htm
	Since 2001, a total of nearly 80 million has been frozen in the UK, although a large proportion was returned to the legitimate Government of Afghanistan. The legislation does not permit the disclosure of amounts frozen for individual entities.
	Freezing action also prevents the flow of funds to listed individuals and entities. Asset freezing is part of the Government's overall strategy to create a hostile environment for terrorism and to safeguard the integrity of financial systems.

Associated Companies' Rules

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of the abolition of the associated companies' rules for investment.

Dawn Primarolo: The estimated full year direct Exchequer cost, in 200607 terms, of abolishing the associated companies rule for calculating corporation tax is around 0.3 billion.
	This does not include any increased cost of behavioral effects from companies that might fragment to take advantage of the small companies rate in the absence of the associated companies rule.

ATMs (Charges)

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the distribution of ATMs which charge customers to withdraw money in (a) London and (b) the UK.

Ivan Lewis: The latest figures from LINK, the UK's ATM network, show in December 2005 there were 33,000 free ATMs and 25,000 surcharging ATMs across the UK. There are approximately 4,380 free ATMS and 3,020 surcharging ATMs within the M25 boundary.
	However, LINK figures show that only 4 per cent. of cash withdrawals during 2005 were made from surcharging machines. In addition, as we set out in our response to the Treasury Select Committee on Cash Machine Charges, most surcharging ATMs in the UK are new machines, in locations where previously there was no ATM.

Average Earnings

John Randall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average earnings of full-time employees in the constituency of Uxbridge were in April in each year since 2000.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average earnings of all full-time employees in the constituency of Uxbridge were in April in each year since 2000. (53635)
	Currently average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all workers on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	I attach a table showing the Average Gross Weekly Earnings for the constituency of Uxbridge for 200005. These statistics, along with other geographic break-downs, are also available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=13101
	The ASHE, carried out in April in each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is one per cent. sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes.
	
		Average gross weekly earnings in 
		
			  Median Mean 
		
		
			 2000(78) (80)365 (80)485 
			 2001 (81)407 (80)550 
			 2002 (80)477 562 
			 2003 508 572 
			 2004(79) 562 623 
			 2004 551 614 
			 2005 (80)565 678 
		
	
	(78) 2003 to 2000 are figures from the NES survey with ASHE methodology applied.
	(79) excludes the supplementary surveys (see notes).
	Guide to quality:
	The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality.
	The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV e.g. for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.
	Key:
	CV = 5 per cent.
	(80) CV5 per cent. and = 10 per cent.
	(81) CV 10 per cent. and = 20 per cent.

Bank Accounts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people did not have access to a bank account on (a) 31 December 2005 and (b) 31 December 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The most recent data available that allow comparison to be made of the number of households with no access to a bank account is the Family Resources Survey from 200203. This indicates that 8 per cent. of households in the United Kingdom had no bank account of any kind. This equated to 1.9 million households containing around 2.8 million adults. 17 per cent. of households in Northern Ireland had no bank account of any kind.
	In 199798 the Family Resources Survey was collected on a Great Britain basis, excluding Northern Ireland. 8 per cent. of households had no access to a bank account of any kind at that time.
	In December 2004, the Government and the banks agreed to work together towards the goal of halving the number of adults in households with no access to a bank account of any kind and of making significant progress within two years. The Financial Inclusion Taskforce has been asked to monitor progress and will report to Government in due course.

Bank Accounts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 3770W, on benefit payments (debt recovery), with whom in the banking industry his Department has had discussions about the right of set-off; and what assessment was made as a result of these discussions of the effect of the right of set-off on basic bank account holders.

Ivan Lewis: The Treasury has had a number of discussions with the banking industry covering a range of topics relating to basic bank accounts. The issue of the right of set-off has not been raised as a specific issue for discussion.

Bank Branches

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to encourage high street banks to share branches in rural areas;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on Government policy on the closure of branches of high street banks.

Ivan Lewis: The operation of bank branches is a commercial decision for the banks concerned. All of the main high street banks and building societies are signatories to the Banking Code. Out of the five recommendations on bank closures made at the time of the last independent review, four were accepted outright. Through the Banking Code there is now an obligation for subscribers to:
	give customers extended notice of branch closure if the road distance of the nearest alternative branch is more than four miles in rural areas;
	explain how they continue to provide services after the branch has been closed in a way that is specific to local provision; and,
	give notice of a substantial reduction in opening hours.

British Film Industry

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the financial gain to the British film industry has been arising from tax relief available to (a) British and (b) other film production in the UK in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The tax costs of Sections 42 and 48 film tax relief are provided in the following table. These figures include the costs of substantial mis-use, which the Government acted to counter by anti-avoidance legislation in recent Finance Bills.
	The value of tax relief under section 42 and 48 is shared between filmmakers and investors. The Government does not collect data on how these costs are divided.
	New film tax relief were announced in the 2005 pre-Budget report in order both to challenge avoidance activity, and to target support more directly at the UK film industry.
	
		 million
		
			  Section 42 relief Section 48 relief Total 
		
		
			 199798 5 5 10 
			 199899 10 40 50 
			 19992000 20 80 100 
			 200001 25 90 115 
			 200102 35 120 155 
			 200203 60 145 205 
			 200304 95 190 285 
			 200405 170 350 520 
			 200506 220 340 560 
		
	
	The Government have also provided 448 million in direct funding to the UK film industry in the last ten years. This figure includes:
	252 million National Lottery funding provided by the Arts Council between 1995 and 2001;
	19 million provided to the British Screen Finance Group between 1996 and 2000; and
	177 million national lottery funding provided by the UK Film council between 2000 and 2005.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much debt is owed to the UK by Burma.

Ivan Lewis: Burma's total official bilateral debt to the UK as at 21 February 2006 was 24.6 million. This includes c. 23.2 million outstanding to the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) and c. 1.4 million outstanding to the Department for International Development (DFID).

Bus Travel

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what formula he has used to determine the funding allocated to local authorities to pay for the provision of free off-peak bus travel for pensioners from April 2006; and what the allocation will be for each local authority.

Des Browne: As announced in Budget 205, the Government are providing an extra 350 million for 200607 for the provision of free off-peak bus travel for pensioners allocated through the Formula Grant system. This funding is not ring-fenced for concessionary travel and forms part of the local government grant settlement for each local authority. Since the sum is incorporated into general grant it is not possible to provide separate figures for individual authorities. Decisions on the distribution of local government grant for 200607 and 200708 were made as part of the local government finance settlement, approved by this House on 6 February 2006.

Capital Gains Tax

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue loss from the abolition of capital gains tax if all gains realised in under two years were taxed as income.

Dawn Primarolo: There are no estimates of the revenue loss from abolishing capital gains tax, if all gains made in under two years were taxed as income, except at a disproportionate cost.

Capital Gains Tax

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue loss from introducing a single 10 per cent. rate of capital gains tax on all gains.

Dawn Primarolo: The estimated revenue loss from introducing a single 10 per cent. rate of capital gains tax on all gains would be approximately 1 billion in the first full year.

Construction Industry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people work in construction in the UK.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about construction employment. (53520)
	The latest available estimate for, September 2005, is that the number of jobs in the construction industry in the United Kingdom was 2,109,000.
	This estimate, as with any from sample surveys, is subject to a margin of uncertainty.

Consumer Protection

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the increase in the number of consumer complaints lodged with the Financial Ombudsman Service since 2001; and what steps the Department is taking to reduce the number of complaints.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is operationally independent of Government. It is a demand-led service dealing with a work load that can rise or fall rapidly. The last few years has seen a significant increase in the FOS work load, mainly caused by mortgage endowment complaints.
	The FSA has taken steps to ensure that firms consider complaints appropriately and do not pass them on to the FOS without need to, and has fined firms in some instances. The FSA's Treating Customers Fairly initiative also requires the senior management to take responsibility for ensuring that fair treatment of customers is embedded throughout the culture of the business.

Corporation Tax

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue loss from an (a) 50 per cent. and (b) 100 per cent. increase in the ceiling for small companies corporation tax.

Dawn Primarolo: The estimated full year Exchequer cost, in 200607 terms, of increasing the present 300,000 ceiling on the small companies rate of corporation tax is as follows:
	
		
			 Revised ceiling 
			 Amount () Percentage Cost ( million) 
		
		
			 450,000 + 50 210 
			 600,000 + 100 330 
		
	
	These estimates include only the direct costs and not any change in behaviour.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether special advisers in his Department receive an IT allowance.

John Healey: Special advisers in HM Treasury do not receive any IT allowances.

Departmental Staff

Peter Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue staff in Northern Ireland were dismissed in 2005 as a result of misuse of computer systems.

Dawn Primarolo: None.

Derv/Red Diesel

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) average cost per litre and (b) average percentage of the total cost per litre was of taxation for (i) derv and (ii) red diesel in each of the past seven years.

John Healey: Historical fuel prices can be found in Quarterly Energy Prices published by the Department for Trade and Industry and available on the DTI website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_prices/index.shtml. Historical fuel duty rates can be found in Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin published by HM Revenue and Customs and available on UK Trade Info Website: www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm ?task=statindex.

Enterprise Investment Scheme

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue loss in a full year from allowing owner/managers the same tax advantages as outside investors in Enterprise Investment Scheme companies.

John Healey: Estimates of the revenue loss from extending full EIS to owner/managers could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Equity (Tax Status)

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of allowing the costs of raising equity funds the same tax status as costs of debt raising.

Dawn Primarolo: An estimate of the Exchequer cost of allowing a tax deduction for the costs of raising equity funds is available only at disproportionate cost.
	The Government did consult in 2003 on whether introducing such a measure would improve access to growth capital for small businesses. The responses to that consultation suggested that the likely benefit to small firms of such a relief would be very limited, Full details were set out in Bridging the Finance Gap: Next Steps in Improving Access to Growth Capital for Small Businesses.

EU Budget

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 20 November 2005, Official Report, column 78W, on the EU budget, if he will list the monthly financial transfers to the EC budget since June 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The figures for UK contributions to the EC Budget are published in the annual European Community Finances White Paper, most recently on 23 June 2005 (Cm 6580). It would be administratively costly to list each of the monthly payments to the EC Budget which the UK has made since June 1997. Over the period June to December 1997 the UK's gross contribution, after taking account of the abatement, was 3,335 million.
	Payments to the EC Budget covering the 200506 financial year will be set out in this year's European Community Finances White Paper.

EU Budget

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) gross and (b) net contributions the Government have made to the European Union Budget in each year from 1997 to 2005; and what contributions he expects it to make in each year from 2005 to 2013.

Ivan Lewis: Out-turn figures for UK gross, after taking account of the abatement, and net contributions to the EC Budget on a calendar year basis are published in the annual European Community Finances White Paper, most recently on 23 June 2005 (Cm 6580). For ease of reference, the figures for 1997 to 2005 were:
	
		 million
		
			  Gross contribution after abatement  Net contribution 
		
		
			 1997 6,258 1,597 
			 1998 8,712 4,597 
			 1999 7,117 3,638 
			 2000 8,433 4,192 
			 2001 4,819 1,389 
			 2002 6,340 3,138 
			 2003 7,407 3,682 
			 2004 7,302 3,008 
			 2005 8,911 3,604 
		
	
	Estates of the UK's gross, after abatement, and net contribution in 2006 will be included in the next European Community Finances White Paper.
	For estimates of contributions from 2007 to 2013, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) on 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 399W.

EU Member States (Payments and Receipts)

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the projected (a) payments to and (b) receipts of payments from the EU of each EU member state for each year between 200708 and 201213.

Ivan Lewis: It is not Government practice to publish exact forecasts of the contributions and receipts of other member states, as this could prejudice the UK's relations with these states. This is a matter for their respective Governments. The Government do, however, publish qualitative indications of member states' contributions and receipts where such information is widely available.
	As around 75 per cent. of the Own Resources System that finances the EC budget is funded by member states GNI contributions, most member states make roughly the same contribution to the budget of around 1 per cent. of GNI. The exceptions to this are: Belgium, which pays a disproportionate share of Traditional Own Resources (customs duties, agricultural duties and sugar levies which account for around 10 per cent. of the Own Resources System) because of the port of Antwerp; and Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and the UK which benefit from corrections that lower their contributions to the EC budget.
	A member state's total receipts largely depend on their receipts from the Structural and Cohesion Funds and the Common Agricultural Policy which together account for around 75 per cent. of the EC budget. Based on the European Commission's forecasts and assumptions, and using the Financial Perspective table agreed on 17 December 2005, Treasury estimates that the largest recipients (those that receive significantly more than they contribute) are: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Those that receive more than they contribute are: Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia. Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK all receive less than they contribute.

EU Projects in the UK

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent EU budgetary agreement on the Government's share of financing EU projects in the UK under the Fontainebleau terms.

Ivan Lewis: The UK contributes to the EC budget as a whole. It is therefore not possible to estimate the UK's financing share of EU projects in the UK. Based on the European Commission's forecasts and assumptions, and using the Financial Perspective table agreed on 17 December 2005, the Treasury estimates that the UK's overall financing share in the next Financial Perspective will be around 12.7 per cent. This is similar to the share in the current Financial Perspective.

Financial Education

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 3772W, on financial education, with whom the Department has had discussions on the role non-governmental organisations and social enterprises can play in financial education; and what aspects of financial education were discussed.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) leads work on the national strategy for financial capability involving a range of other partners, including Government, the financial services industry, employers' organisations and trades unions, the media, consumer bodies and the voluntary sector. Over the coming year the focus for the strategy will be on the following seven key priorities:
	Embedding personal finance education in schools;
	Helping students in higher education and young people not in education, employment or training manage their money;
	Providing generic financial guidance through the workplace;
	Providing resources for those taking maternity or paternity leave;
	Distributing more widely the financial healthcheck and an on-line tool to help people assess their debt position;
	Examination of whether there is a commercial case for the delivery of a more widespread generic financial advice service; and
	As part of a revised FSA consumer communication strategy, revamping and re-launching the information and tools it provides to consumers.
	As the FSA is an independent body, I will ask the chairman to write to you directly with more details on the work of the strategy and the organisations that are involved. In addition Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet interested stakeholders such as consumer groups and those from educational institutions to listen to their views and hear in what way they can help in furthering financial education.

Financial Inclusion

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress the Department is making in the development of the national strategy for financial capability.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) leads the National Strategy for Financial Capability in partnership with Government, the financial services industry, employer organisations and trade unions, the media, consumer bodies and the voluntary sector. In May 2004 the FSA set out its plans in Building Financial Capability in the UK. A number of initiatives were piloted and last October the FSA decided to concentrate on seven key projects that were considered the most likely to result in a step change in financial capability.
	The FSA has conducted a baseline survey into levels of financial capability within the general UK population and the results are due to be published at the end of March. The survey will be repeated every four to five years. In addition, the FSA will report annually, via its annual report, on progress on the National Strategy.
	The Government fully support financial education. So the Chancellor announced in the 2005 pre Budget report that financial capability will be embedded more explicitly in the schools curriculum by including it in the new functional mathematics component of GCSE mathematics. The Government are also taking steps to strengthen adult financial capability. Building on the work of Skills for Life it will embed financial capability in functional maths aimed at adults and encourage local authorities to provide more financial education to parents through Sure Start children's centres and locally delivered family numeracy activities.

Financial Inclusion

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what options the Department has considered to increase access to financial advice and information as part of its financial inclusion strategy.

Ivan Lewis: In Promoting financial Inclusion, published alongside the 2004 pre-Budget report, the Government recognised that the majority of consumers manage their borrowing effectively, but that there are a minority for whom over-indebtedness can be a problem. For these vulnerable individuals, the supply of free face-to-face money advice falls far short of demand.
	In order to meet the Government's aims to see an increase in the capacity of money advice for financially excluded individuals, the Government have allocated 45 million of the 120 million Financial Inclusion Fund to the Department of Trade and Industry to support an increase in the provision of free face-to-face money advice. In addition, 6 million of the Fund has been allocated to the Department of Constitutional Affairs to pilot methods of money advice outreach aimed at those who do not normally present themselves to debt advisers.

Financial Services Authority

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2006, Official Report, column 2258W, on the Financial Services Authority (FSA), if he will make a written statement when the FSA has completed its assessment of costs.

Ivan Lewis: This is an operational matter for the Financial Services Authority (FSA). However, I understand that the FSA expects to publish the results of the study in the second quarter of 2006.

Foreign Direct Investment

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much foreign direct investment the UK has received in each year since 2002.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning inflows of foreign direct investment into the United Kingdom from 2002 onwards. (52673)
	The results of the quarterly and annual surveys into Foreign Direct Investment are published in the quarterly UK Balance of Payments First Release. The figures for 20022004 are shown in the table below. These are taken from table J of the publication, which is available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/bop1205.pdf
	
		Foreign direct investment in the UK, 2002 to 2004
		
			   million 
		
		
			 2002 16,782 
			 2003 16,776 
			 2004 42,395 
		
	
	Source:
	UK Balance of Payments.
	Yours sincerely

Gold Reserves

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much and what proportion of UK gold reserves has been sold off since May 1997; at what rate each such sale was conducted; and on what date.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 465W, the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 38W, and the then Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir Teddy Taylor) on 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 87W; and to the table in the Treasury document Review of the sale of part of the UK Gold Reserves, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
	The proceeds in dollars, and further details, can also be found on page 27 of Review of the sale of part of the UK gold reserves published by the Treasury in October 2002 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//9EFEF/Gold Reserves.PDF.

Income Tax (Beverley and Holderness)

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Beverley and Holderness paid (a) income tax and (b) the top rate of income tax in each of the last eight years.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of income tax payers in the constituency of Beverley and Holderness can be found in table 3.15 Total income by Parliamentary Constituency on the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#315. The latest available year is 200304 and information prior to 200203 is available only at a disproportionate cost.
	A breakdown by tax bands is not available because the sample sizes for marginal rates at constituency level are very small and demonstrate a large variability year on year.

Insurance Premium Tax

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1395W, on insurance premium tax, how many insurance intermediary companies are being investigated for alleged insurance premium tax fraud.

Ivan Lewis: No insurance intermediary companies are being investigated for insurance premium tax fraud.

Insurance Premium Tax

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1395W, on insurance premium tax, what percentage of insurance companies issued policies at premiums below that which premiums were demanded as a result of insurance premium recharges in the last 12 months.

Ivan Lewis: Neither HM Revenue and Customs nor HM Treasury possesses this information.

Insurance Regulation

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the proposed time scale and scope is of the forthcoming review of general insurance regulation.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Services Authority will begin a review of the effectiveness of the general insurance regime in April 2006 and expects initial findings to be available towards the end of 2006. This will focus on the insurance conduct of business requirements. The review will include seeking feedback from firms and consumer research.
	Separately, the Treasury will review whether travel insurance sold as part of a package should be subject to Financial Services Authority regulation early in 2007.

Israel

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that architects who boycott Israel's construction industry for political reasons are not employed by the Government.

Des Browne: Government Departments are responsible for their own purchasing decisionsincluding on the procurement of architects' serviceswithin the framework of the Government's procurement policy, based on value for money, and the Regulations which implement the EU procurement rules based on fair and open competition.

Marketable Wealth

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of (a) marketable wealth and (b) marketable wealth less value of dwellings was owned by the most wealthy (i) one percent., (ii) five percent., (iii) 10 percent., (iv) 25 percent. and (v) 50 percent in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Estimates of the statistics requested on the distribution among the adult population of marketable wealth for each year since 1976 are published as National Statistics on the HMRC website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal_wealth/table_13_5.xls
	Equivalent figures for marketable wealth less the value of dwellings have been published in respect of certain years by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in their annual report Social Trends. The figures appear in chapter 5 of the reports which may be found on the ONS website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5748

Migration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people migrated from outside the UK to (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last seven years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people migrated from outside the UK to (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last seven years. (53784)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces estimates of Total International Migration. These are based mainly on data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS), which is supplemented with data on flows to and from the Republic of Ireland. Other data sources allow for adjustments for asylum seekers and their dependants not counted by the IPS, and for switchers (people who change their intentions and, therefore, their migratory status).
	As a sample survey, the IPS is unable to produce direct estimates of international migration below the level of Government Office Region in England. Therefore, no National Statistics estimates of international migration flows exist for local authorities or Parliamentary constituencies.
	However, in order to calculate the population estimates it is necessary to estimate the component of population change due to international migration for each local authority. These components are estimated in as robust a manner as possible given available data sources. They are not National Statistics and are fit only for certain purposes, such as to enable understanding of population estimates and population modelling.
	For both the year to mid-2003 and the year to mid-2004, the estimate of total international migration into the London Borough of Havering is marginally over 1,000 people.
	Data for earlier years have been subject to revision. We are in the process of compiling similar data for earlier years and will be publishing these, in due course, on the web at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?Vlnk=14060 consequently, I am not able to provide comparable data for earlier years.
	Data are not available for Parliamentary constituencies and I am therefore not able to supply information for the constituency of Romford.

Migration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people migrated to the UK from each of the (a) British overseas territories and (b) Commonwealth nations in each of the last seven years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have been As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many people migrated to the UK from each of the (a) British Overseas Territories and (b) Commonwealth nations in each of the last seven years. (53789)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces estimates of Total International Migration (TIM). These are based mainly on data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS), which is supplemented with data on flows to and from the Republic of Ireland. Other data sources used to calculate TIM allow for adjustments of asylum seekers and their dependants not counted by the IPS and for switchers (people who change their intentions and, therefore, their migratory status). However, a detailed analysis on individual countries is only possible on IPS data alone, because of the characteristics of the other data sources.
	The latest available IPS estimates of migration are for the annual period 2004. Where reliable data are available, estimates of inflows of residents from British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries for each year from 1998 to 2004 are provided in attached table 1. Where reliable estimates are unavailable due to small sample sizes, British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries have been grouped.
	
		International migration, estimates from the international passenger survey annual data and seven years grouped, 19982004 inflow (immigration to the UK) country of last or next residence -- United Kingdom (thousands)
		
			  Estimate(82) 
			  19982004 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 British Overseas Territories (BOTs)(83) 10.2 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			  
			 All Commonwealth(84) 1188.5 132.3 151.1 156.7 169.8 156.5 181.7 240.4 
			 Australia 280.3 38.8 40.4 36.0 51.9 37.2 37.3 38.8 
			 Canada 58.0 9.5 6.1 8.8 5.7 7.3 12.8 7.8 
			 New Zealand 107.5 16.7 17.3 19.4 16.7 11.9 12.8 12.7 
			 South Africa 173.4 19.8 28.4 21.2 18.2 24.6 25.5 35.7 
			  
			 Other African Commonwealth of which:- 176.4 14.3 17.8 20.0 23.4 27.1 30.9 42.9 
			 Kenya 22.8 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Uganda 6.7 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Zimbabwe 38.1 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Ghana 20.4 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Nigeria 27.4 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			  
			 Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka of which:- 200.0 11.7 17.4 22.8 23.4 28.5 39.1 57.1 
			 Bangladesh 31.7 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 India 145.1 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Sri Lanka 23.3 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Pakistan 82.2 6.7 8.2 10.8 13.3 6.7 10.2 26.4 
			  
			 Caribbean Commonwealth of which:- 25.6 4.1 4.2 1.6 2.7 3.9 3.7 5.3 
			 Jamaica 5.6 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 4.8 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Caribbean Commonwealth (excl BOTs) 18.2 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Caribbean Commonwealth (BOTs) 7.4 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			  
			 Other Commonwealth of which:- 85.1 10.7 11.3 16.2 14.6 9.4 9.4 13.6 
			 Brunei 3.1 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Malaysia 39.2 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Singapore 24.4 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Cyprus 10.8 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Other Commonwealth (excl BOTs) 82.3 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
			 Other Commonwealth (BOTs) 2.7 (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) (85) 
		
	
	(82) Estimate is based on migrant inflows captured from the International Passenger Survey (IPS). All estimates are subject to margins or error since they are derived from a sample survey.
	(83) BOTs are included in All Commonwealth.
	(84) Figures for all years include Malta and Cyprus in the Commonwealth.
	(85) Reliable estimate is unavailable for individual year; data have been grouped to produce more reliable estimates for 19982004.
	Notes:
	1. A small weighting adjustment has been applied to IPS data for 1998. This reflects the estimated effect of applying the weighting improvements made to IPS data from 1999 onwards.
	2. As a result of a change in our processing system there may be slight differences in our historical tables for 19992003.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

National Insurance

Paul Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been waiting for their national insurance contributions to be recorded on the computer system since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: We are not aware of any taxpayers who are waiting to have their national insurance contributions to be recorded on the computer system since 2003. Any taxpayers who contact HMRC will have their query dealt with as quickly as possible.

Pensions Mis-selling

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to extend the period within which policy holders can lodge a claim for compensation for the mis-selling of endowment policies.

Ivan Lewis: This is an operational matter for the FSA, which is independent of Government.
	FSA rules, introduced after extensive public consultation, allow time limits for complaints, as they recognise that firms need to be able to limit their liability in terms of stale or frivolous claims.

Pensions Mis-selling

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Financial Ombudsman Service on steps it can take to speed up the consideration of claims for pension mis-selling; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is operationally independent of Government. Ministers and officials meet the FOS on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues.

Pensions Mis-selling

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average time taken was by the Financial Ombudsman Service to determine claims for pensions mis-selling in 200405; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is unable to provide figures for mis-selling cases only, as they record their data for cases received by product type, rather than complaint type. The average time taken by the FOS to resolve all complaints about pension products is 8.5 months.
	The time taken by the FOS to resolve cases depends largely on whether the consumer and the firm both agree at an early stage to any recommendation or informal settlement that we may suggest, or whether either the consumer or the firm request the formal process. Factors that can affect the time taken by the FOS to resolve complaints include the complexity of cases, the volume of cases in a particular product area and the time taken by both firms and consumers to respond to inquiries.

Planning Gain Supplement

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the proposed planning gain supplement on (a) levels of house building and (b) house prices in Gravesham.

John Healey: As set out in the consultation document published alongside the 2005 pre-Budget report, a planning-gain supplement (PGS) would capture a portion of the increase in land value created by the grant of planning permission to help finance the infrastructure needed to support new development. PGS would be used to ensure that land value uplifts benefit local communities and support efforts to expand housing supply.
	In her review of housing supply, 2004, Kate Barker demonstrated that builders would pass the cost of PGS back to the landowner through lower prices bid for the land.

Planning Gain Supplement

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the proposed planning gain supplement on the granting of planning permission on exception sites in rural areas.

John Healey: The Government published a consultation document on the proposed planning-gain supplement (PGS) alongside the 2005 pre-Budget report, and is seeking the views of stakeholders.
	Chapter 4 of the document sets out further details of the scope of PGS, including minimum thresholds and exemptions.

Population (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the population of each ward in Chorley borough council.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question regarding estimates of the population of each ward in Chorley Borough Council. (52617)
	The most recent population estimates for wards are for mid-2002. The estimates for wards in Chorley are given in the attached table. The closest available geography to current electoral wards, for which population estimates are available, is Census Area Statistics (GAS) wards. This geography was created for outputs from the 2001 Census and is based mainly on 2003 electoral wards. The CAS ward level population estimates have been published with the status of experimental statistics. Therefore, the estimates, and figures towed from them, should be treated with some care. The margin of confidence for population estimates is proportionately larger at ward level than at local authority level.
	
		Mid-2002 ward population for Chorley
		
			 Ward name Persons 
		
		
			 Adlington and Anderton 6,500 
			 Astley and Buckshaw 3,600 
			 Brindle and Hoghton 2,200 
			 Chisnall 4,000 
			 Chorley East 6,500 
			 Chorley North East 6,800 
			 Chorley North West 6,100 
			 Choriey South East 6,000 
			 Chorley South West 6,600 
			 Clayton-le-Woods and Whittle-le-Woods 6,900 
			 Clayton-le-Woods North 6,900 
			 Clayton-le-Woods West and Cuerden 4,400 
			 Coppull 6,500 
			 Eccleston and Mawdesley 6,100 
			 Euxton North 4,200 
			 Euxton South 4,100 
			 Heath Charnock and Rivington 2,200 
			 Lostock 5,500 
			 Pennine 2,200 
			 Wheelton and Withnell 4,200 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are consistent with the published mid-2002 local authority estimate for Chorley (September 2004 revision).
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and may not sum to the published mid-2002 estimate for Chorley.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics.

Population (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of census figures for (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) Staffordshire in each of the last two censuses; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what assessment has been made of the accuracy of census figures for (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) Staffordshire in each of the last two censuses. (53446)
	Following the 2001 Census for England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) undertook an extensive programme of work to investigate the reasons for the difference between the 2001 Census and the mid-year population estimates (MYEs) at both national and local authority levels. This program of work included a series of local authority studies carried out in 2004 which were designed to improve the MYEs in the areas that proved hardest to count in the Census. The results of these studies showed that better estimates of the population could be made in 15 areas and an adjustment was made to the MYEs in these areas. For the rest of the country, including the eight local authorities in Staffordshire, it was found that the 2001 Census-based population estimate remains the best estimate of the population. A full report on these Local Authority Studies can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_FullReport.pdf
	The Census 2001 Quality report for England and Wales provides information about all aspects of quality relating to the 2001 Census. It provides an overview of the quality issues and the studies and analyses that have been carried out to improve the quality of census data. The Quality report is held in the House of Commons Library or can be downloaded from www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/proj_qr.asp
	Additional information pertaining to the quality of results from the 2001 Census for local areas can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/stat_methods_qual.asp
	Official assessments of the quality of the 1991 Census were published in the 1991 Census General Report (ISBN 0116916168) and User Guide 58 (Undercoverage in Great Britain). These were carried out at national level and no assessment of quality was made for individual Local Authorities. The General Report is held in the House of Commons Library and User Guide 58 may be obtained from Census Customer Services: census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk
	The 1991 Census Validation Survey assessed the coverage of the Census and the quality of the Census information recorded about those people who were successfully enumerated. The 1991 Census Validation Survey: Quality Report (ISBN 0116916885) and 1991 Census Validation Survey: Coverage Report (ISBN 0116915919) are also held in the House of Commons Library.

Population (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the current population of each ward in the Tamworth constituency based on (a) the 2001 census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and what projections he has made for the next five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the estimate of the current population of each ward in the Tamworth constituency based on (a) the 2001 Census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and what projections have been made for the next five years. (53447)
	The table attached provides the information you have requested. The most recent population estimates for wards are for mid-2002. The closest available geography to current electoral wards for which population estimates are available, is Census Area Statistics (CAS) wards. This geography was created for outputs from the 2001 Census and is based mainly on 2003 electoral wards The CAS ward level population estimates have been published with the status of experimental statistics. Therefore, the estimates, and figures derived from them, should be treated with some care.
	The table contains CAS ward electorate counts for December 2002 and 2004. The ward electorate counts are for parliamentary electors, including attainers.
	The 2002 electorate counts are given for comparison with the population estimates, the latest available electorate counts are for 2004. It should be noted that the number of people eligible to vote is not the same as the resident population aged 18 and over. There are numerous reasons for this. For example not everyone who is usually resident is entitled to vote (foreign citizens from outside of the EU and Commonwealth, prisoners, etc. are not eligible), some people do not register to vote and people who have more than one address may register in more than one place. Further, there is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. These factors have a differential impact from area to area.
	Patient register figures for July 2002 and July 2004 are included in the table. The 2002 patient register figures are given for comparison with the population estimates, the latest available patient register counts are for 2004.
	It should be noted that patient register counts differ from estimates of the usually resident population for a number of reasons. Patient registers include people who are in the country for at least three months, whereas population estimates are based on a usual residence definition requiring a stay of 12 months or more. The patient registers exclude individuals who are ineligible to be registered with a GP. People may be on a patient register after having left the country and not deregistered with their GP; similarly people may have moved to another area and not re-registered. Some patients may have more than one NHS number e.g. they may have been issued a temporary number for a short period. Again, these factors have a differentia impact from place to place.
	The Office for National Statistics does not produce projections of population at ward level.
	
		CAS Wards in Tamworth Parliamentary Constituency: Population Estimates, Electorate counts, and Patient Register counts
		
			 Ward name Population Estimate Mid-2002 Electorate December 2002 Electorate December 2004 Patient Register July 2002 Patient Register July 2004 
		
		
			 Bourne Vale 2,000 1,394 1,429 1,787 1,825 
			 Fazeley 4,500 3,611 3,678 4,676 4,763 
			 Little Aston 2,800 2,429 2,394 2,872 2,899 
			 Mease and Tame 3,400 2,816 2,901 3,399 3,553 
			 Shenstone 3,200 2,620 2,610 3,296 3,344 
			 Stonnall 1,500 1,228 1,240 1,506 1,544 
			 Amington 8,200 6,049 6,097 8,423 8,516 
			 Belgrave 7,500 5,528 5,526 7,888 7,712 
			 Bolehall 6,900 5,446 5,454 7,100 7,019 
			 Castle 6,900 5,517 5,558 6,805 6,985 
			 Glascote 8,300 5,764 5,818 8,702 8,573 
			 Mercian 6,700 5,373 5,390 6,977 6,939 
			 Spital 6,500 5,263 5,422 6,870 7,011 
			 Stonydelph 7,900 5,759 5,827 7,975 8,098 
			 Trinity 7,500 5,767 5,881 7,351 7,677 
			 Wilnecote 8,000 5,979 6,269 8,103 8,271 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The mid-2002 ward population estimates are consistent with the published mid-2002 local authority estimates (September 2004 revisions), and have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. The electorate counts are taken from the statutory RPF 29 returns.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Population Growth

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the population of (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley constituency; and what assessment he has made of the likely population growth in each of the next 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning population estimates and projections for Lancashire and for the Chorley constituency. (52616)
	The Office for National Statistics does not currently produce mid-year population estimates or projections on parliamentary constituency boundaries. However, in the case of Chorley, the parliamentary constituency currently has the same boundaries as Chorley borough council and so can be provided.
	The most recent set of population projections for England are 2003-based and use local trends in births, deaths and migration over the reference period 1999 to 2003 to formulate assumptions on levels of fertility, mortality and migration for future years.
	The 2004 mid year estimate and 2003-based subnational population projections for Lancashire and for Chorley are shown in the attached table.
	
		Table 1: Mid-year population estimates and 2003-based subnational population projections Lancashire and Chorley -- Thousand
		
			  Lancashire Chorley 
			  Population Change Population Change 
		
		
			 Mid-year population estimate 
			 2004 1,152.0  103.0  
			  
			 Population projections 
			 2005 1,153.7  103.3  
			 2006 1,157.2 +3.5 103.9 +0.6 
			 2007 1,160.9 +3.7 104.6 +0.6 
			 2008 1,164.4 +3.6 105.2 +0.6 
			 2009 1,168.0 +3.5 105.8 +0.6 
			 2010 1,171.5 +3.6 106.5 +0.6 
			 2011 1,175.1 +3.6 107.1 +0.6 
			 2012 1,178.7 +3.6 107.8 +0.6 
			 2013 1,182.4 +3.7 108.4 +0.6 
			 2014 1,186.1 +3.7 109.0 +0.7 
			 2015 1,189.9 +3.8 109.7 +0.6 
			 2016 1,193.7 +3.8 110.3 +0.6 
		
	
	Note:
	The population projections shown in this table are taken from the 2003-based subnational population projections, the latest set of projections currently available Therefore they may not be consistent with the 2004 mid-year estimate presented in the first row.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Population Statistics

Hywel Francis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the most recent population statistics provided by the Office for National Statistics for Aberavon and Neath Port Talbot.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what assessment has been made of the accuracy of the most recent population figures provided by the Office for National Statistics for Aberavon and Neath Port Talbot. (53612)
	Population estimates are calculated using an internationally respected methodology. Further information can be found in the detailed methodology guide Making a population estimate in England and Wales. This is published here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product. asp?vlnk=575
	It is becoming increasingly difficult to estimate the size of the population because of changes in society, which include increased mobility and different living arrangements. The decennial Census provides a benchmark against which national and sub-national population estimates can be assessed. Substantial work has been done on the difference between mid-year population estimates and the 2001 Census. This work is summarised in the final report of the 2004 Local Authority Population Studies, which can be found here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_FullReport.pdf
	These studies confirmed that the 2001 Census had worked well in most areas, including Aberavon and Neath Port Talbot, but there were a few cases where the adjustment for under-enumeration was not able to adjust sufficiently for exceptional circumstances. This work, together with revised international migration estimates, accounted for a large proportion of the initial 1.1 million difference between mid year estimates and the Census; reducing the difference to a little over 0.2 million
	In addition, extensive annual quality assurance is undertaken in order to ensure the accuracy of the annual mid-year estimates. Quality assurance starts with detailed checking of the source data used in the components of change (birth, deaths, etc.). Procedures are then in place to ensure that these data sources are correctly processed when deriving the estimates. The calculated national and sub-national estimates, for all 376 local authorities in England and Wales, are then subject to a further set of quality assurance procedures before they are published. These procedures include reviews of sex ratios and age profiles, comparisons of change over time, and comparisons of fertility and mortality rates. Substantial effort has already been undertaken, in recent years, to improve the quality assurance of population estimates.
	ONS is also now investing substantially in a project to Improve Migration and Population Statistics (IMPS). (More information on this project can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/IMPS). The key aims of this project are to reduce the size of the difference between the 2011 Census results and the mid-year estimates and to better understand any difference that does remain. As part of this project, we are developing a data comparator tool to enable us to compare the annual mid-year estimates against a range of administrative sources. This work is ongoing and the results will inform our understanding of the accuracy of the mid-year population estimates. The tool was trialled in the mid-2004 population estimates, which were published in August 2005.
	Another strand of the IMPS project is a review of the quality assurance procedures that are currently in place for population estimates. One of the aims of this review is to assess what improvements can be made to existing procedures, and determine whether additional quality assurance is required.
	ONS also produces population projections for each local authority area. The methodology used in the production of the subnational population projections is an established and recognised methodology. Subnational population projections undergo extensive quality assurance before publication. In addition, local authorities and health authorities are consulted on the first year of migration assumptions used as the baseline trend for migration.
	Population estimates and projections are supplied to the ODPM. I understand that ODPM make checks to ensure that the data as provided by the ONS have been correctly entered into their calculations for allocating Formula Grant to local authorities. Otherwise, they do not make any assessment of accuracy of the data supplied, as this responsibility lies with the ONS.

Security and Intelligence Agencies

Keith Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will break down the (a) main estimate and (b) winter supplementary estimate provision for the Security and Intelligence Agencies Request for Resources 1 by (i) new cash and (ii) non-cash for financial years 200506;
	(2)  if he will break down the (a) main estimate, (b) winter supplementary estimate and (c) spring supplementary estimate provision for the Security and Intelligence Agencies Request for Resources 1 by (i) new cash and (ii) non-cash for financial years 19992000 to 200405.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 February 2006
	Resource-based estimates were published across Government for the first time in 200102. Government resource accounting and budgeting continues to develop and this includes the introduction of current concepts such as non-cash and near-cash. Given the structure of estimates prior to 200102 it is not possible to calculate non-cash and near-cash figures from these estimates. The following tables provides non-cash and near-cash figures for the published estimates up to, and including, 200102 (there was no SIA spring supplementary in 200102):
	
		Main/winter/spring estimate (000)
		
			 Financial year 200506 200506 200405 200405 200405 200304 200304 200304 
			  Winter Main Spring Winter Main Spring Winter Main 
		
		
			 Resource Near cash 989,926 935,800 957,975 931,845 90,6095 613,412 579,189 541,740 
			 Non Cash 201,634 201,522 240,507 190,205 190,205 541,688 562,092 562,380 
		
	
	
		Main/winter/spring estimate (000)
		
			 Financial year 200203 200203 200203 200102 200102 200102 
			  Spring Winter Main Spring(86) Winter Main 
		
		
			 Resource Near cash 854,585 841,327 781,110 0 784,825 775,944 
			 Non cash 223,939 185,378 163,755 0 258,798 258,798 
		
	
	(86) No SIA spring supplementary
	The Intelligence and Security Committee are responsible for the scrutiny of SIA financial estimates.

Security and Intelligence Agencies

Keith Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the Security and Intelligence Agencies Request for Resources 1 outturn by (i) new cash and (ii) non-cash for financial years 200405.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 February 2006
	At the last supplementary round the near-cash and non-cash figures for the Security and Intelligence Agencies Request for Resources 1 outturn 200405 are around 1,000,000,000 and 110,000,000 respectively.

Seizure Information Notices

David Hamilton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cigarettes were confiscated by HM Customs and Excise through the use of seizure information notices in Scotland in 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: There were 4,795 seizures of cigarette consignments involving 20,548,903 cigarettes, in Scotland in 2005.

Seizure Information Notices

David Hamilton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many seizure information notices were issued by HM Customs and Excise in Scotland in 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: There were a total of 8,396 seizures made in Scotland in 2005 that involved seizure of information notice.

Settlements Legislation

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many businesses have paid tax under the settlements legislation in each tax year since 200102;
	(2)  how many investigations HM Revenue and Customs have conducted under the settlements legislation in each year since 200102.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Social Entrepreneurs

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue loss which would result from allowing social entrepreneurs to reinvest without incurring a capital gains tax liability.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the revenue loss from allowing social entrepreneurs to reinvest without incurring a capital gains liability are not available.

Stamp Duty

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue effects of the abolition of stamp duty on securities.

Ivan Lewis: The 2005 pre-Budget forecast of revenue from stamp duty on transactions in securities, and hence the direct cost of abolition, is 3.6 billion in 200607.
	This estimate makes no allowance for the effect on other taxes arising from the wider impact abolition may have on the economy.

Student Loans Company

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money is owed to the Student Loans Company?

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	Provisional information published by the Student Loans Company shows the amount of UK student loan debt owed at the end of financial year 200405 was 15,947.6 million. This includes loans not yet due for repayment and excludes the loans sold to the private sector. Loans are made to students by the Student Loans Company, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

Suicide Rates

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children and young people under the age of 18 years have committed suicide in each year since 1990.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many children and young people under the age of 18 years have committed suicide in each year since 1990.
	The most recent available figures are for the calendar year 2004. The figures below show the number of deaths from intentional self harm among those aged 10 to 17 for the calendar years 1990 to 2004.
	It is assumed likely that most deaths from injury of undetermined intent at age 15 and over are cases where the harm is self-inflicted but there was insufficient evidence to prove that the deceased deliberately intended to kill themselves. This can not be assumed in deaths at ages under 15 and therefore these deaths are not included when examining intentional self-harm in children. There were no deaths recorded from intentional self-harm at ages under 10 across the period covered.
	
		Number of deaths among people aged 13 to 17 years from suicide and injury of undetermined intent, England and Wales,1990 to 2004(87)
		
			  Aged 10 to 14suicide(88) Aged 15 to 17suicide and injury of undetermined intent(89) 
		
		
			 1990 2 73 
			 1991 3 61 
			 1992 1 72 
			 1993 7 46 
			 1994 7 59 
			 1995 5 55 
			 1996 3 56 
			 1997 5 58 
			 1998 3 61 
			 1999 2 68 
			 2000 3 64 
			 2001 5 69 
			 2002 5 54 
			 2003 3 62 
			 2004 5 47 
		
	
	(87) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year from 1990 to 1992, and for deaths occurring in each calendar year from 1993 onwards.
	(88) The cause of death for suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959for the years 1990 to 2000, and, for the years 2001 to 2004, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84.
	(89) The cause of death for injury of undetermined intent was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1990 to 2000, and, for the years 2001 to 2004, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.

Sustainable Energy

Alan Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings (a) he has, (b) his Ministers have and (c) civil servants in his Department have had with the hon. Member in charge of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill to discuss including a clause in that Bill to require his Department to consider fiscal and economic measures to promote microgeneration and energy efficiency.

John Healey: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not had any meetings with the hon. Member in charge of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill to discuss the inclusion of a clause in that Bill to require the Treasury to consider fiscal and economic measures to promote microgeneration and energy efficiency. I have had one meeting and other discussions on the hon. Member's Bill. My officials have had two other meetings with the hon. Member.

Tax (Corporate Profits)

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the full year revenue consequences would be of charging all corporate profits at a single 20 per cent. rate.

Dawn Primarolo: A change of this magnitude would be likely to have a major impact on company behaviour and therefore major indirect as well direct effects on tax revenues. However the direct revenue effect of a single 20 per cent. corporation tax rate can be determined approximately from Table 5 of the 2005 Tax Ready Reckoner located at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/FA1/96/pbr05_taxreadyreckoner_223.pdf which shows the effect of 1 percentage point changes in the small companies' and main rates of corporation tax.

Tax Credits

David Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ex-gratia payments have been made to claimants by the Tax Credits Office due to administrative errors since the system was put in place.

Dawn Primarolo: The circumstances in which Tax Credit Office will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department's code of practice 1 Putting things right which is available at www.hmrc.gov.uk.
	The Department will pay compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of their mistakes or delays and to recognise worry and distress caused by those mistakes and delays.
	Tax Credit Office do not keep separate details of compensation payments made specifically due to administrative errors.

Tax Credits

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit overpayments have been written off (a) in part and (b) in full in respect of residents of Peterborough since tax credits were introduced.

Dawn Primarolo: This information requested is not available at constituency level and in the format requested.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average time taken was between a claimant of tax credits requesting that HM Revenue and Customs reconsider its decision to recover a tax credit overpayment and the suspension of the automatic recovery of that overpayment in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 2420W.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will suspend the recovery of the tax credit overpayment which is being recovered from the constituent of the right hon. Member for Birkenhead, national insurance number JR493898C.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs is statutory debarred from disclosing information relating to the tax affairs of individuals. However, the Tax Credit Office wrote to my right hon. Friend about his constituent on 20 February 2006.

Tax Credits

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of forged tax credits resulting in prosecution have been reported to Jobcentre Plus in Tamworth in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: There have been no cases of forged (fraudulent) tax credit claims resulting in a prosecution relating to Jobcentre Plus in Tamworth in the last 12 months.

Tax Credits

John Randall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been in receipt of the incorrect level of tax credit in (a) Uxbridge and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon in each year since tax credits were introduced; what assessment he has made of the number of these who could not have been reasonably expected to know that a mistake had been made; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Further to my answer my colleague, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, gave the hon. Gentleman on 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1127W, the information requested is not available in the format requested.

Tax Credits

John Randall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many awards for (a) child and (b) working tax credit there were in the constituency of Uxbridge in (i) 200304 and (ii) 200405; how many awards were (A) underpaid and (B) overpaid at (1) 5 April 2004 and (2) 5 April 2005; and what the total amounts were in each case.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mrs. Dorries) on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 321W.
	Estimates for 200405 of the numbers of in-work families with tax credits awards, including information on overpayments and underpayments by constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 200405 are due to be published in May 2006.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of how many tax credit cases in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506 inquiries have been made to HM Revenue and Customs by the parliamentary and health service ombudsman as part of an investigation into complaints concerning tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: The parliamentary ombudsman, Ann Abraham, is an independent office-holder. She operates under the provisions of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (as amended). The parliamentary ombudsman publishes information about the number of complaints she has received in her annual report to Parliament. Her 200405 annual report, HC 348, was published on 20 July.

Taxation

John Randall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue was raised from personal taxation from those resident in the constituency of Uxbridge in (a) 1997 and (b) the last financial year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many workers living in (a) Uxbridge and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon pay income tax at (i) the basic rate and (ii) the higher rate.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of total income tax revenue at constituency level are unavailable.
	Published information on the number of taxpayers and their mean and median total income by constituency and by borough and district or unitary authority can be found in tables 3.15 Total Income by Parliamentary Constituency and 3.14 Total income by borough and district or unitary authority on the HM Revenue and Customs internet website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#315. The latest year for which these figures are available is 200304.
	A breakdown by tax bands is not available because the sample sizes for marginal rates at these levels of geography are very small and demonstrate a large variability year on year.

Terminology Definitions

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition he uses of the terms (a) non-budget expenditure and (b) non-voted expenditure.

Des Browne: The term Non-budget expenditure is used in Supply Estimates to describe departmental spending that is not included within the Treasury spending control aggregates (Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) and departmental Annually Managed Expenditure (AME)) As an example, grant-in-aid from a department to a non-departmental public body is normally treated as non-budget (it is the actual spending of the NDPB that is in budgets).
	Non-voted expenditure is a term used to describe public spending that is not voted by Parliament through the Supply Estimates process. As an example, the expenditure of non-departmental public bodies is normally non-voted.

NORTHERN IRELAND

R Drivers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many R drivers in Northern Ireland have been (a) issued with fixed penalty fines for excess speed, (b) prosecuted for excess speed, (c) prosecuted for careless driving and (d) involved in fatal road traffic accidents in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested about restricted drivers in relation to fixed penalty fines, excess speed prosecutions and fatal road traffic accidents is detailed in the following tables. It is not possible to provide figures for the number of restricted drivers prosecuted for careless driving.
	
		Table 1: Number of endorsable fixed penalty notices issued for excess speed to restricted drivers in each of the last five years
		
			  Number of FPNs issued 
		
		
			 2001 74 
			 2002 69 
			 2003 74 
			 2004 75 
			 2005 147 
			 Total 439 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Number of restricted drivers prosecuted for exceeding 45 mph during the period 19992003(2003 being the most up-to-date data presently available)
		
			  Number prosecuted 
		
		
			 1999 160 
			 2000 124 
			 2001 57 
			 2002 37 
			 2003 44 
			 Total 422 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Number of restricted drivers involved in fatal road traffic collisions during the period 200004(2005 data currently unavailable)
		
			  Number prosecuted 
		
		
			 2000 12 
			 2001 13 
			 2002 6 
			 2003 10 
			 2004 7 
			 Total 48

Alcoholism

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland received treatment for alcoholism in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the form requested. However a census of treatment services carried out for the first time on 1 March 2005 reported 3,074 individuals in treatment for alcohol-only misuse across Northern Ireland.

Ambulance Service

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average journey time was for ambulances stationed at the Craigavon area hospital to respond to emergency calls in its catchment area for the last period for which figures are available; and on how many occasions this average has been exceeded by more than 50 percent. in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has advised that, in the month of January 2006, the average response time for ambulances based at Craigavon area hospital was nine minutes and 29 seconds.
	Prior to 2004, NIAS systems did not support analysis of response times by individual station. Since 2004, the number of times in each calendar year that response times from Craigavon exceeded the average by more than 50 percent, is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Total calls Number of calls with response time greater than 14 minutes and 15 seconds 
		
		
			 2004 2,029 189 
			 2005 2,967 289 
			 2006 233 28

Bankruptcies

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of (a) personal and (b) company bankruptcies in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) each Northern Ireland constituency in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The following table shows the number of bankruptcies and compulsory liquidations in Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years.
	
		
			 Year ending 31 March Number of bankruptcies (personal) Number of compulsory liquidations (company bankruptcies) Total for year 
		
		
			 2003 350 67 417 
			 2004 582 84 666 
			 2005 685 72 757 
		
	
	In the year ending 31 March 2004, the number of bankruptcies increased from the previous 10 years average of 384 to 582. In view of this, the Official Receiver, for the first time, attempted to estimate the number of bankruptcies and compulsory liquidations expected in the following year. His estimate was that the total number would be 700. The actual total for that year was 757.
	The information is not held by Northern Ireland constituency and is therefore not readily available in the format requested.

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) full-time and (b) part-time campus and outreach centres of the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education; and what the funding allocated to each was in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: In 200405 the Institute received 28.6 million in funding from the Department for Employment and Learning. The Institute does not allocate specific funding to sites, but to Departments and Subject Areas.
	The details of full-time and part-time campus and Outreach centres are as follows:
	Sites which deliver courses on a full-time basis
	Brunswick Street, Belfast, BT2 7GX
	College Square, Belfast, BT1 6DJ
	Gerald Moag Campus, Millfield, Belfast, BT1 1HS
	Tower Street, Belfast, BT5 4FH
	BIFHE Chichester Avenue, Belfast, BT15 5EH
	BIFHE Whiterock, Whiterock Road, Belfast, BT12 7PH
	Sites which deliver courses on a part-time basis
	North Belfast
	Ardoyne Library, 446 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 7GG
	Ashton Centre, 5 Churchill Street, Belfast, BT15 2BP
	Castle High School, Forwilliam Park, Belfast, BT15 4AR
	Bray Street Scout Hall, BT13
	Brookvale, 33 Cliftonville Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6JN
	Bruce House, 6A Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6DT
	Carlisle Day Centre, 2 Carlisle Terrace, Belfast, BT15 2PR
	Chestnut Grove, 5961 Somerton Road, Belfast, BT15 4DD
	Clifton House, 2A Hopewell Avenue, Carlisle Circus, Belfast, BT13 1DR
	Concorde Community Centre, 36 Alliance Road, Belfast, BT14 7JB
	Corner House, 96 Duncaira Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GJ
	Crumlin Road Presbyterian Church, Crumlin Road, Belfast.
	Deanby Nursery School, Deanby Gardens, Belfast
	Dolphin Womens Group, Old Ballysillan Rd, Belfast, BT14
	Edenbrook Primary School, Tennant Street, Belfast, BT13
	Edenderry Nursery School, 422 Upper Rigga Street, Belfast BT13
	Everton Centre, 589593 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 7GB
	Flax Day Centre, Ardoyne Avenue, Belfast, BT14 7DA
	Grove Leisure Centre,York Road, Belfast, BT15 3HF
	Habinteg Housing Association, 31 Comway Walk, Belfast, BT13 2DY
	Hannah Centre, 913933 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 6AB
	Hazlewood College, 70 Whitewell Rd, Newtownabbey, BT36 7ES
	Holy Family Pastoral Centre, 222 Limestone Road, Belfast, BT15 3AP
	Holy Family Primary School, Newington Avenue, Belfast, BT15
	Hope Nursery, Hopewell Crescent, Belfast, BT13
	Little Flower School, 71A Somerton Road, Belfast
	Lower North Belfast Community Council, 21 York Road, Belfast
	Lowood Primary School, Sheringhurst Park, Belfast, BT15
	Marrowbone Community House, 253 Oldpark Road, Belfast, BT14 6QR
	Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14
	Mhic Reachtain Cultural Society, 156 Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 2AH
	Girls Model, Dunkeld Gardens, Belfast, BT14 6NT
	Newington Day Centre, Atlantic Avenue, Belfast, BT15 2HN
	North Belfast Memorial Hall
	Our Lady of Mercy School, Ballysillan Road, Belfast, BT14
	Parkmount Day Centre, 704 Shore Road, Belfast, BT15 4HU
	Seaview Primary School, Seaview Drive, Belfast, BT15 3NB
	Shalom, 12 Cliftonville Road, Belfast, BT14 6JX
	Somerton, Church of The Resurrection, Cavehill Road, Belfast
	St. Enda's, Ballybought, Hightown Road, Glengormley, BT36
	St. Gemma's High School, Ardilea Street, Belfast, BT14 7DG
	St. Mary's, Greencastle, 824 Shore Road, Belfast, BT36 6JU
	St. Kevin's Church, North Queen Street, Belfast, BT15 1EL
	St. Paul's Church Hall, York Street, Belfast, BT15 1AG
	St. Vincent's, 167A Ligoniel Road, Belfast, BT14 8DP
	Dolphin Womens' Group (Sunningdale), Old Ballysillan Road, Belfast, BT14
	Survivors of Trauma, 151 Cliftonville Road, Belfast, BT14 6JR
	Teach na FAILTE, Flax Centre, Ardoyne Avenue, Belfast, BT14 7DA
	White City Community Centre, Navarra Place, Newtownabbey, BT36 7JX
	Wolfhill, 148 Ligoniel Road, Belfast, BT14 8DS
	Woodlands Day Centre, 9 Woodland Avenue, Belfast, BT14 8DS
	Woodland Fold, Woodland Avenue, Belfast, BT14 8DS
	Shankill
	Alessie Centre, 60 Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 2BB
	Benview Community Centre, 80 Ballysillan Park, Belfast, BT14 8HD
	Blackmountain Education Centre, Blackmountain Place, Belfast, BT13 3TT
	Fodd Centre, 228 Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 2BJ
	Glenbank Nursery School, Ligoneil Road, Belfast, BT14 8BW
	Glencairn Day Centre, 98 Fothriver Road, BT13 SSL
	Mountgilbert Community College, 237 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, BT13 3NL
	BIFHE Riddell Education Centre, Malvern Street, Belfast, BT13 1JD
	Shankill Day Centre, Shankill Parade, Belfast, BT13 1FD
	Shankill House, 137 Shankill Parade, Belfast, BT13 1DY
	Shankill Stress, 5 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, BT13 3LA
	Shankill Women's Centre, 151157 Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 1FD
	Spectrum Centre, 331333 Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 3AA
	St. Andrew's Church Hall, Forthriver Road, Belfast, BT13
	Street Beat, West Circular Road, Belfast, BT13
	Vine Centre, 193 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT 14 7DX
	Wheatfield Primary School, Alliance Road, Belfast, BT14
	Woodvale Community Centre, 1517 Ohio Street, Belfast, BT13 3HW
	Woodvale Presbyterian Church, 64 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, BT13 3BU
	West Belfast
	Accept, Dunellen House, Dunmurry Industrial Estate, Dunmurry, Belfast, BT17 9HU
	Andersonstown Leisure Centre, 130 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9BY
	An Chrannog, 15 Glenavy Road, Crumlin, BT29 4LB
	Ardmonagh Family Centre, 6163 Ardmonagh Gardens, Belfast, BT11 8DX
	Ballyowen Day Centre, 179 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9DR
	Bearnagh Glen, Bearnagh Drive, Belfast, BT11
	Beech Hall Day Centre, 21A Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9NS
	Blackie Centre, 2 Beechmount Pass, Belfast, BT12 7NX
	Cloona House, 31 Colin Road, Poleglass, Belfast, BT17 0LG
	Cloona Oasis Centre, Cloona House, 31 Colin Road, Poleglass, BT17 0LG
	Conway Education Centre, 57 Conway Street, Belfast, BT13 2DE
	Culturlann McAdam O'Fiaich, 216 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6AH
	Divis Community Centre, Ardmullan Place, Belfast, BT12 4RT
	BIFHE Dunlewey Centre, 1 Dunlewey Street, Belfast, BT13 2QU
	Falls Leisure Centre, Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 4PB
	Fallswater Day Centre, Fallswater Street, Belfast, BT12 6AX
	Forthspring, 373375 Springfield Road, Belfast, BT12 4PB
	Gaelscoil Na Mona, 1 Nasc Na Mona, Mona Link, Belfast, BT11 8QB
	Glen Community Centre, Carrigart Avenue, Lenadoon, Belfast, BT11 9HU
	Grovetree House, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12
	Holy Trinity Community Centre, 26 Norglen Gardens, Belfast, BT11 8EL
	Horn Drive Community Centre, Horn Drive, Lenadoon, Belfast BT11 9BD
	Ionad Uibh Eachach, 34 Iveagh Cres, Belfast, BT12 6AT
	Laganvalley Educational Project, 4 Colinbrook Green, Poleglass, BT17 0PQ
	Lagmore Women's Group, 11 Glendowan Avenue, Lagmore, BT17 0XG
	Lenadoon Community Forum Training and Education Project, 41A Suffolk Road, Belfast, B11 9PE
	Lower Anderstonstown Mothers Support Group, 88 Andersonstown Park West, Belfast, B11 8FP
	Millennium Outreach Centre,400 Springfield Road, Belfast, BT12 7DU
	Naiscoil An Loinnain, 61 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 4PD
	Naiscoil tSleibhe Dhuibh, 10A Whiterock Close, Belfast, BT12 7RG
	Oliver Plunkett Parish Hall, Glenveigh Drive, Lenadoon, Belfast, BT11 9QB
	Orchardville Training Centre, 10 Orchardville Avenue, Belfast BT10 0JH
	Relatives for Justice, 235 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 4PE
	Scoil Na Fuiseoige, 6 Summerhill Road, Twinbrook Belfast, BT17 0RJ
	Springhill Community House, 6/7 Springhill Close, Belfast BT12 7JJ
	St. Agnes Parish Church, 139 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9BW
	St. Clare's Nursery, Coopers Street, Belfast
	St. Lukes Family Centre, Cara House, Twinbrook Road, Belfast BT17 0RL
	St. Michael's Parish Hall, Finaghy Road North, Belfast, BT10 9ED
	St. Terese's Nursery, Glen Road, Belfast
	Suffolk Day Centre, 88 Stewartstown Road, Belfast BT11 9JP
	Suffolk Library, Stewartstown Road, Belfast, BT17 0HW
	Tearman Fold, 59 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9AH
	Travellers' Centre, Blackstaff Complex, Springfield Road, Belfast
	Upper Andersonstown Community Forum (Tullymore Community Centre, 37A Tullymore Gdns, Belfast BT11 8NE
	Voice's Womens Group, Norglen Gardens, Belfast, BT11 8EL
	Whiterock Day Centre, 6 Whiterock Grove, Belfast BT12 7RQ
	East Belfast
	Ashfield Girls High School, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 2LY
	Beacon House, 1 Connsbrook Ave, Belfast
	Beechfield Primary School, 80 Beechfield Street, Belfast
	Belmont Tower, 84 Belmont Church Road, Belfast, BT4 3FG
	Blind Centre, 126 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast
	Braniel Community Centre, Warren Grove, Belfast BT5
	Christ Church Presbyterian Church Hall, Millar's Lane, Dundonald, BT18 2DA
	Connsbrook, 166 Connsbrook Avenue, Belfast, BT4
	Donovan Fold, Donovan Parade, Belfast, BT6 9GE
	East Belfast Community Centre, Bloomfield House, Belfast, BT5 5DH
	Edgecumbe, 396 Woodstock Road, Belfast, BT6
	Gilnahirk Primary School, 148 Gilnahirk Road, Belfast, BT5 7QQ
	Greenway Women's Centre, 19 Greenway, Belfast, BT6 ODT
	Harding Memorial Primary School, 105 Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 8QP
	Harland and Wolff Welders' Club, Dee Street, Belfast, BT5
	Hawarden Tennis Club, 3 Clonlee Drive, Belfast, BT4 3DA
	Holywood Arches Library, 4 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1NT
	Inverary Community Centre, Inverary Avenue, Belfast, BT4 1RN
	Short Strand Community Centre, Beechfield Street, Belfast, BT5 4ED
	Sydenham Cross-Community Centre, 186 Connsbrook Avenue, Belfast, BT4 1JY
	Stye Brae Centre, Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church Hall, 181 Gilnahirk Road, Belfast, BT5 7QP
	BIFHE Tower Street, Belfast, BT5 4FH
	Tullycarnet Community House, Hanwood Centre, Kincross Avenue, Belfast, BT5 7GE
	Victoria Day Centre, Tamar Street, Belfast BT5
	Victoria Nursery, Victoria Parade, Belfast
	Wandsworth Community Centre, 26 Belmont Church Road, Belfast, BT4 3FF
	Westbourne Presbyterian Church Hall, Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT5
	Woodstock Library, 357 Woodstock Road, Belfast, BT6 0DQ
	South Belfast
	An Droichead, Cooke Street, Belfast, BT7 2EP
	Balmoral Hall, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6GW
	Beacon House, 84 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HE
	Belfast City Hospital, Old Church Building, Belfast, BT7 7AB
	Belfast Foyer, 35 Malone Rd, Belfast, BT9 6RT
	Belvoir Activity Centre, Belvoir Drive, Belfast, BT8 7DN
	Botanic Primary School, Agincourt Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1QD
	Donegall Pass Community Centre, Third Floor, Crewe House, 145149 Donegall Pass, Belfast BT7 1DA
	Edgar Boyd Court, Killynure Gardens, Carryduff, BT8 8RT
	Elira Church Hall, 77 Donegall Pass, Belfast BT7 1DR
	Finaghy Community Centre, Gerragh PI, Finaghy Road South, Belfast, BT10 3AE
	Fleming Fulton School, Upper Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6TY
	Markets Community Centre, Eliza Street, Belfast, BT7 2AU
	Morton Community Centre, 810 Lome Street, Belfast, BT9 7DU
	Mount Oriel, 5357 Saintfield Road, Belfast BT48 4HL
	Multiple Sclerosis Society, 34 Annadale Avenue, Belfast BT7 3JJ
	Nazareth Care Village, 516 Ravenhill Road, Belfast BT6 OBW
	Ormeau Library, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 9AA
	BIFHE Parkmore Building, 284 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2GB
	Ravenhill Day Centre, 318A Ravenhill Road, Belfast BT6 8GL
	Sandy Row Community Forum, 6375 Sandy Row, Belfast BT12 5ER
	St. John's Church Hall, 374376 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3HX
	St. Joseph's College, 518 Ravenhill Road, Belfast, BT6 0BW
	Wellington College, Carolan Road, Belfast, BT7 3HE
	Windsor Womens Centre, 136144 Broadway, Belfast, BT12 6HY
	Chinese Welfare Association, 133135 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HP
	Islamic Centre, 38 Wellington Park, Belfast, BT9 6DN

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the date was of the latest Equality Impact Assessment carried out by the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education regarding its distribution of services in terms of their (a) physical location and (b) community impact.

Angela Smith: The Belfast Institute's equality scheme was approved by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in 2002 and a timetable for the commencement of impact assessments by the institute was agreed with the Commission in December 2004.
	These are:
	Accesscurrently under way;
	City Centre PPP Projectcurrently under way;
	The provision of coursesSeptember 2007
	The assessments will consider the effect of the institute's policies across a range of factors.

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the community background is of (a) senior managers, (b) lecturers, (c) cleaning staff, (d) catering staff and (e) security staff employed by the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education.

Angela Smith: The community background of the staffing groups in Belfast Institute is as follows:
	
		
			  Protestant Roman Catholic Not declared 
			 Job group Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Senior Management 8 47 8 47 1 6 
			 Permanent Lecturers 231 49 217 45 37 8 
			 Part-time Lecturers 436 54 319 40 51 6 
			 Cleaning 27 64 15 36 0 0 
			 Catering 10 71 4 29 0 0 
			 Security 9 45 9 45 2 10

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many basic skills courses are run by the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education on each campus; and how many clients attended each course in the latest period for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: During the 200405 academic year Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education ran essential skills classes at two Campuses: Tower Street and Millfield. At Tower Street, there were two classes attended by 28 learners and at Millfield four classes, attended by 36 learners. The Tower Street campus also co-ordinated further provision through the following outreach centres:
	
		
			  Centre/location Number of classes Total number of learners 
		
		
			 East Belfast Community Centre 1 16 
			 Shankill Women's Centre 1 7 
			 Riddell Adult Education Centre 2 34 
			 Spectrum Centre 2 29 
			 College Square East 4 91 
			 Brunswick Street 1 21 
			 Whiterock 2 28 
			 Chichester Avenue 2 37 
			 Ligoniel Family Centre 1 10 
			 Mountvernon Residents 1 12 
			 Woodlands Pay Centre 1 2 
			 Wolfhill Centre 1 10 
			 Employers Premises 1 34 
			 Donegal Pass Youth Club 1 14 
			 Taughmonagh Primary School 1 3 
			 Dunlewey Street 2 22 
			 Springvale 1 5 
			 Salvation Army, Albert Square 2 10 
			 Extern Community Services 2 19 
			 Give and Take 2 30 
			 Maghaberry Prison 2 60 
			 Hydebank Young Offenders Centre4 68 
			 Thiepval Barracks 1 20 
			 Parkmore 1 7 
			 Unison (Royal Hospital) 3 41 
			 Sandy Row Prisoner's Centre 1 10 
			 Morning Star Hostel 1 9 
			 Total 44 649

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education receives for training from the Department of Employment and Learning.

Angela Smith: The total amount of fees paid by the Department for Employment and Learning to the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education during 200405 in respect of training (for Jobskills and New Deal participants) was 1,551,119.

Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many training deliverers are used by the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education; where each is located; what courses each offers; and what the value is of each contract with training deliverers.

Angela Smith: At the present time, the institute does not use external deliverers to provide training.

Business Start-ups

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 372W, on business start-ups, how much was given in each of the last four years in each Belfast constituency.

Angela Smith: The table presents the amount of assistance offered to new business start-ups, by Invest NI, during each of the last three and half years, analysed by each Belfast parliamentary constituency.
	
		000
		
			 Parliamentary constituency 200203 200304 200405 200506(90) Total 
		
		
			 Belfast East 419.5 211.7 218.9 26.3 876.3 
			 Belfast North 106.7 156.8 192.3 37.5 493.2 
			 Belfast South 434.6 472.1 1,648.8 98.0 2,653.4 
			 Belfast West 193.3 202.3 412.1 28.1 835.7 
			 Total 1,154.0 1,042.8 2,472.0 189.7 4,858.5 
		
	
	(90) 200506 provisional information to September 2005 only.
	Note:
	The figures in the table may not add due to rounding.

Child Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 2093W, on child abuse, what meetings have taken place involving the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Police Service of Northern Ireland and senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church; what information was provided in relation to (a) each diocese fully within Northern Ireland and (b) each diocese that straddles the border with the Republic of Ireland; when he expects to be in a position to make recommendations; and what plans he has to establish an independent public inquiry into this matter.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 30 January 2006, Official Report, column 126W.
	Since 30 January 2006, officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and representatives of the Police Service of Northern Ireland met jointly with senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church on 6 February 2006. DHSSPS officials met with senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and their legal representatives' on 8 February 2006 and again with senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church on 9 February 2006.

Civil Service (Meetings)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has met leaders of (a) the Presbyterian Church, (b) the Roman Catholic Church, (c) the Church of Ireland, (d) the Methodist Church, (e) the Baptist Union of Ireland, (f) the Free Presbyterian Church, (g) the Elim Pentecostal Church, (h) the Reformed Presbyterian Church, (i) the Congregational Union of Ireland, (j) the Evangelican Alliance, (k) ECONI and (l) the Caleb Foundation.

Angela Smith: This information, over such a lengthy period of time, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The current Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has met with leaders and representatives of a number of the organisations listed and would be very willing to meet with the leaders of any of the other denominations and organisations listed, if they wished to have such a meeting.

Cultural Diversity Training

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether external cultural diversity training is given to recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: All new recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland receive specific training on equality and diversity issues delivered both internally and externally.
	The first three days of induction are spent on a residential training course to explore, in a safe environment, issues around sectarianism, cultural and religious differences, empowerment, social history and reconciliation. This training also takes cognisance of wider diversity issues which are explored more fully in the Police College programme. This specific equality and diversity training focuses on issues around, amongst other things, prejudices, stereotypes, assumptions based on people's race, religion, community background, political belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality etc.
	Other external speakers attend the college to deliver specific equality and diversity training, for example, on issues relating to the deaf community or other disability issues.
	In addition to these initiatives the Police College also hosts a cultural traditions evening where recruits can meet and speak to representatives from various community groups.

Day Case Procedure (Costs)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average cost of a hospital day case procedure was in each health trust in the Province in 200405.

Shaun Woodward: pursuant to the reply, 7 February 2006, Official Report, c. 1147W
	I am now able to provide the information requested.
	The average cost of a hospital day case procedure in each trust in the Province in 200405 was as follows:
	
		
			  Trust/Hospital Day case average  per attendance 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin 503 
			 Antrim 516 
			 Armagh and Dungannon  
			 BCH 314 
			 Braid Valley  
			 Causeway/United joint service 765 
			 Causeway 629 
			 Craigavon 464 
			 Downe 946 
			 Greenpart 750 
			 Lagan Valley 668 
			 Mater 350 
			 Mid Ulster 570 
			 Moyle  
			 Newry  Mourne 572 
			 Royal Group 586 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 494 
			 Ulster 437 
			 Whiteabbey 497 
		
	
	Source:
	HSS Trust HRG Returns

Departmental Catering Budget

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department's policy is on the procurement of fair trade produce for consumption on its premises.

Peter Hain: The Northern Ireland Office's catering budget is not disaggregated in these terms. However, in all significant procurement for goods and services the opportunity to integrate environmental factors into the contract will be considered. Moreover, the providers of goods and services must comply with equality and race relations legislation.

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many job advertisements were placed by his Department (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what (i) total and (ii) average cost in each case.

Shaun Woodward: The following table provides details of the cost of advertising vacancies in the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and NDPBs, from 2001 to 2005. No advertising information is available prior to that date.
	
		
			 Calendar year (a) Number of recruitment competitions (b) Publication advertising costs (c) Website(91) advertising costs (i) Total annual cost (ii) Average cost per competition 
		
		
			 2005 18 74,543.60  74,543.60 4,141.31 
			 2004 13 158,455.81  158,455.81 12,188.91 
			 2003 5 18,558.50  18,558.50 3,711.70 
			 2002 7 75,158.07  75,158.07 10,736.87 
			 2001 (92)3 8,358.30  8,358.30 2,786.10 
		
	
	(91) There is no advertising cost associated with the placing of vacancies on the Northern Ireland Recruitment Service and Home Civil Service Recruitment Gateway websites.
	(92) There were a further three recruitment competitions in 2001 for which information on advertising costs is unavailable.

Dissident Republican Paramilitaries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of recent recruitment activities by dissident republican paramilitary organisations.

Shaun Woodward: As indicated in the recently published eighth IMC report, there is evidence that dissident republican terrorist organisations are attempting to recruit members.

District Policing Partnerships

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been to public funds of the district policing partnerships in Northern Ireland since their inception.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 26 January 2006, Official Report, column 2328W.

Education and Library Boards

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the independent members sitting on each Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: There are 35 members on each Education and Library Board who are drawn from three sources-nominees from district councils, nominees from transferors and trustees, and those applying through open competition. All members are appointed by the Minister for Education essentially for the individual contribution that they can make on the basis of their own interest, knowledge and experience. I therefore regard all members as individual ministerial appointees. The current list of members for each board has been placed in the Library.

Education and Library Boards

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid to each independent member of an Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by board.

Angela Smith: The Chairperson is the only board member who receives an annual remuneration (10,000) in respect of functions carried out on behalf of the board. The other members are not paid an annual remuneration but are entitled to claim travelling and subsistence and attendance or financial loss allowances from the board in respect of expenses incurred by them on official board business. Details of the allowances paid to each member over each of the last five years are not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, details of the emoluments paid annually by each board to its members is published in the board's annual reports and annual accounts, copies of which are placed in the Libraries of both Houses. These include details of the highest payment for any board member, the aggregate amount of emoluments, and the number of members who received emoluments falling within a five-band range.

Employment Statistics

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in Northern Ireland who left school in June 2005 have secured full-time employment; how many secured part-time employment; how many are on a training scheme; and how many are claiming jobseeker's allowance.

Angela Smith: Information on the destinations of 200405 school leavers is not yet available; it is due to be published in June 2006.
	Of the 25,650 pupils who left school in 200304, the School Leavers' Survey shows that 3,211 entered employment, 4,734 entered training including Jobskills and 1,103 were unemployed or seeking employment. The survey makes no distinction between full and part-time employment, and does not gather information on whether the school leavers were claiming jobseeker's allowance. In addition, there were 16,081 leavers who entered institutions of higher or further education and 521 leavers whose destination was unknown.

Fare Evasion

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convictions there have been against those found to be travelling on (a) Northern Ireland Railways and (b) Ulsterbus without the proper payment having been made in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: Translink has advised the Department that the number of convictions for fares evasion made in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  NIR U'Bus Metro/C'Bus Total 
		
		
			 200001 20 0 0 20 
			 200102 17 0 0 17 
			 200203 17 2 0 19 
			 200304 16 0 0 16 
			 200405 21 2 0 23 
			 200506(93) 06 1 0 7 
			 Total 97 5 0 102 
		
	
	(93) To 16 February 2006.

Free Fares

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) approved and (b) rejected applications for free fares for the elderly there were in each year since the scheme started; what the total number of people in receipt of free fares for the elderly was in each of the last five years; and what this figure was as a percentage of the total number eligible for free fares.

Shaun Woodward: Translink has advised that it does not hold records of senior citizen applications which have been rejected. Details of the number of Senior SmartPasses issued, the number of Senior SmartPasses used at least once and the number of Senior SmartPasses used at least once as a percentage of the total population aged 65 and over are given as follows.
	
		
			  2002(94) 2003 2004 2005 2006(95) 
		
		
			 Number of Senior SmartPasses issued. 150,111 17,663 11,035 11,167 1,182 
			 Number of Senior SmartPasses used at least once. 128,107 107,768 106,568 108,058 61,720 
			 Number of persons resident in Northern Ireland aged 65+(96) 227,349 230,147 233,416 236,000 240,000 
			 Number of Senior SmartPasses used at least once, as a percentage of total population aged 65 and over. 56.3 46.8 45.7 45.8 25.7 
		
	
	(94) 2002 is the year when Senior SmartPasses were issued. These enable persons aged 65+ to avail of free travel. This accounts for the large number of passes issued then.
	(95) To date.
	(96) Population figures are taken from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, mid-year population estimates (2002 to 2004) and population projections (2005 and 2006).

Fuel Poverty

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fuel poor lived in each of Northern Ireland's parliamentary constituencies in the most recent three years for which figures are available.

David Hanson: Figures on fuel poverty are classified in terms of households rather than individual people and are collected through the House Condition Survey rather than on an annual basis. As I explained in my response to the hon. Member for Strangford (Mrs. Robinson) on 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 764, the 2001 House Condition Survey collected the information on a district council and not a parliamentary constituency basis.
	The 2004 Interim House Condition Survey, the results of which are due to be published soon, collected the information on a Northern Ireland wide basis. This indicates that the overall number of households in fuel poverty has reduced from 203,000 to 153,530 with the number of vulnerable households decreasing from 181,000 to 126,100 for the same period.

Fuel Poverty

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

David Hanson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply on 31 January 2005, Official Report, column 719W.
	The updated information is as follows:
	
		
			  Expenditure () 
		
		
			 200405 65,543,316 
			 200506(97) 36,767,400 
		
	
	(97) The total spend for winter fuel payments, funding for DSD partnership schemes and the NIE Energy Efficiency Levy Programme are not yet available for this financial year. There have been no cold weather payments to date.

Fuel Retailers

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many privately-owned filling stations sell fuel in Northern Ireland; how many fuel checks on private filling stations were carried out in each of the last five years; and how many (a) fines and (b) convictions there were for the sale of illegal or doctored fuel at private filling stations in each of the last five years.

John Healey: There are 637 entities registered as retail sites operators in Northern Ireland.
	The number of visits made to all registered retail sites during which fuel was tested for the last three years, are as set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200203 184 
			 200304 190 
			 200405 135 
		
	
	HMRC do not have figures for visits to registered retail sites prior to 200203.
	The number of civil penalties resulting from all forms of illegal fuel activity, not just retail sites, are set out as follows:
	
		
			  Civil penalties 
		
		
			 200001 243 
			 200102 714 
			 200203 1,102 
			 200304 901 
			 200405 536 
		
	
	The numbers of convictions secured in Northern Ireland, which are related to all forms of illegal fuel activity during the last five years, are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of convictions 
		
		
			 200001 5 
			 200102 15 
			 200203 3 
			 200304 4 
			 200405 0

Fugitives

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many members of the (a) police force and (b) armed forces would be included within the categories designating fugitives from justice in the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill;
	(2)  how many individuals would qualify as fugitives from justice under the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill.

Peter Hain: I apologise to the hon. Member for Solihull for the delay in answering these parliamentary questions; this was due to an administrative error.
	The Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill was withdrawn on 11 January 2006.

Gaelic/Ulster Scots

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public money has been made available to support (a) the Gaelic language and (b) Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DGAL) jointly funds the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge, the Irish Language Agency. The Ulster-Scots Agency has a statutory remit to promote Ulster-Scots language and culture. Foras na Gaeilge has a statutory remit to promote the Irish language.
	The budgets allocated to the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge by DCAL since 2000 are detailed in the following table.
	
		 million
		
			 Budget (STG) Foras na Gaeilge (Irish Language Agency) Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch (Ulster-Scots Agency) 
		
		
			 2000 1.80 0.5 
			 2001 2.53 0.97 
			 2002 2.64 1.07 
			 2003 2.850 1.155 
			 2004 3.225 1.338 
			 2005 3.242 1.357 
			 2006 3.485 1.610 
		
	
	These figures are based on the calendar year.
	The funding for the Irish Language Broadcasting fund and Ulster-Scots Academy for 200506 year to 15 February 2006 is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Irish Language Broadcast Fund 12,518,680 
			 Ulster Scots Academy 86,648 
		
	
	Funding is also available from departmental mainstream programmes for projects, which may have an Irish or Ulster-Scots language or culture dimension, which cannot be separated from the primary funding objectives.

General de Chastelain

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days since 1 August 2005 General de Chastelain has spent in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: General John de Chastelain spends approximately one week per month in Northern Ireland.

General Practitioners

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many GPs are practising in Northern Ireland; and how many were found guilty of inappropriate behaviour towards their patients in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows.
	(a) The number of GPs practising in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years is given in the following table.
	
		Number of General Practitioners practising in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years
		
			 Date Headcount 
		
		
			 February 2006 1,091 
			 October 2005 1,084 
			 October 2004 1,078 
			 November 2003 1,076 
			 October 2002 1,076 
		
	
	Source:
	Central Service Agency
	(b) The General Medical Council (GMC), through the fitness to practice panels, investigates reports of inappropriate behaviour. They have identified one General Practitioner in Northern Ireland who was investigated and found guilty of inappropriate behaviour towards their patients in the last five years. The GP in question was erased from the GMC register in 2005. However, the registered address that doctors must maintain with the GMC is not necessarily their place of practice so, although it is unlikely that there have been other cases, the possibility exists.

Hospitals (Infection Control)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to assess the level of use of hand gels by (a) members of hospital staff and (b) visitors to hospitals in Northern Ireland for the purposes of infection control.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety has no plans to collect or collate data on the level of use of hand gels in particular hospitals. Individual hospital Trusts are obliged under the Department's controls assurance standards to ensure there is a managed environment, which minimises the risk of infection, to patients, staff and visitors and that there is a hand hygiene policy in place which reflects good practice principles. The Department's proposed action plan for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections to be launched next month is expected to address the question of a regional hand hygiene campaign.

Housing

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to free up under-occupied housing executive and housing association homes in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: In order to maximise the opportunities for reducing under-occupation the Common Selection Scheme (CSS) facilitates those tenants who are under-occupying to voluntarily apply for a transfer. Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) or Housing Association tenants choosing to move are awarded ten points for each bedroom in their existing property in excess of the tenant's needs, up to a maximum of 30 points.
	Additionally, the CSS allows NIHE or Housing Association tenants to be offered a transfer if the resulting vacancy can facilitate the best use of stock through the housing of an applicant (or other tenant) in greater need for that particular size of accommodation.
	The need for action to address under occupation is most likely to be considered in circumstances where it is necessary to relieve housing stress and to be most effective in areas of low demand. Where social landlords feel that action is possible they will need to balance arrange of issues such as the availability of stock to match the needs of those tenants who do wish to move, polices aimed at helping people live in the community (Care in the Community and Lifetime homes), the effects on letability and the creation of sustainable communities.

Housing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the total of unpaid Northern Ireland Housing Executive rents in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: The following table details Northern Ireland Housing Executive's unpaid rents in the last 10 years from 1995 and 2005:
	
		
			 Year ending 31 March: Total debt ( million) 
		
		
			 1995 13.715 
			 1996 12.985 
			 1997 12.793 
			 1998 12.491 
			 1999 13.364 
			 2000 14.596 
			 2001 17.358 
			 2002 19.027 
			 2003 18.888 
			 2004 (98)19.081 
			 2005 17.751 
		
	
	(98) The rent/rate arrears debt up to March 2004 includes housing benefit overpayments recoverable from tenants.

In-patient Procedures (Costs)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost of an elective in-patient hospital procedure was in each health trust in the Province in 200405.

Shaun Woodward: pursuant to the reply, 7 February 2006, Official Report, c. 1152W
	I am now able to provide the information requested.
	The average cost of an elective in-patient hospital procedure in each trust in the Province in 200405 was as follows:
	
		
			 Trust/Hospital Elective average ( per episode) 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin 2,032 
			 Antrim 1,542 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 6,747 
			 BCH 2,233 
			 Braid Valley 5,117 
			 Causeway/United joint service  
			 Causeway 1,685 
			 Craigavon 1,473 
			 Downe 1,510 
			 Greenpark 3,386 
			 Lagan Valley 1,541 
			 Mater 1,683 
			 Mid Ulster 840 
			 Moyle 3,701 
			 Newry and Mourne 1,833 
			 Royal Group 2,723 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 1,875 
			 Ulster 1,735 
			 Whiteabbey 1,846 
		
	
	Source:
	Trust HRG Returns

Invest Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed by Invest Northern Ireland (a) in Northern Ireland and (b) outside Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: At 31 January 2006, Invest NI employed 620 staff (equivalent to 593 full-time ): 10 of these staff are based in Invest NI Offices outside Northern Ireland.
	In addition, Invest NI also engages a varying number of contracted staff in its overseas offices and in Northern Ireland to deliver specific programmes. At 31 January 2006 these numbered 34, 14 of whom were based in offices outside Northern Ireland. The costs of these staff are met from the funds of the specific programmes they are engaged to deliver.

Invoices (Non-payment)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total amount of credit lost to the Police Service of Northern Ireland through failure to pay invoices within the stated deadline was in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: The PSNI is committed to the prompt payment of bills for goods and services received in accordance with the Government's Better Payments Practice Code and British Standard BS 7890 Achieving Good Payment Performance in commercial Transactions.
	The PSNI claims early settlement discount where it is available.
	During the last three financial years the PSNI has paid over 92 per cent. of all invoices within 30 days.
	PSNI paid no interest to a supplier under the terms of The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1988 in any of the last three financial years.

IRA Criminality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria he uses to differentiate between organisational and localised IRA criminality.

Shaun Woodward: The Government have made clear that no levels of criminality are acceptable. There is a difficult but important distinction to be made between organised and localised IRA criminality. The issue is whether the IRA is living up to the commitments the organisation made last summer. The latest report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) shows that there have been significant changes in criminal activity associated with IRA. The IMC keeps the issue of ongoing criminality under careful review and its next report is due in April.

Irish Medium Education Officers

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Irish medium education officers are employed through (a) the education and library boards in Northern Ireland, (b) the Department of Education and (c) the Department of Employment and Learning.

Angela Smith: The information provided in the table is in respect of Irish medium education officers employed in each of the five education and library boards (ELBs), the Department of Education, the Department for Employment and Learning and Comhairle na Gaelscola-ochta, the Council for Irish-medium Education.
	
		
			 Body Number of IM officers Explanation 
		
		
			 Department of Education (DE) 1 Specialist Inspector of Irish employed by the Education and Training Inspectorate, which provides inspection services for both DE and DEL 
			 Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) (99)0 G21 
			 BELB 1 1 Irish medium Adviser for all 5 ELBs(100) 
			 NEELB 0  
			 SEELB 0  
			 SELB 0  
			 WELB 1 1 Irish medium Advisory Teacher (Literacy)(100) 
			 Comhairle na Gaelscola-ochta 1 Irish medium Education Officer(100) 
			 Total 4  
		
	
	(99) DEL does not employ any Irish Medium Education Officers, however, it provided recurrent funding of 100,000 in the 200506 academic year to St. Mary's University College for Irish Medium Education.
	(100) Funded by DE through earmarked funding

Learning Disabilities

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the Department for Employment and Learning's budget for training and access to employment for people with learning disabilities in each of the last five years; and how much was spent from this budget in each year.

Angela Smith: The Department for Employment and Learning provides training and access to employment for people with a range of disabilities. However, funding is not targeted at particular disability categories, such as people with a learning disability. Hence, it is not possible to identify a specific annual budget allocated to assist people with learning disabilities.
	The funding is provided through the Disablement Advisory Service (DAS), Jobskills (Access strand), and three programmes funded by the European Union, namely Building Sustainable Prosperity, Peace II and the EQUAL Community Initiative.

M2 Motorway

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average daily number of vehicles using the M2 Motorway Citybound was between (a) the Toome Bypass and the A26 junction, (b) the A26 junction and the Sandyknowes junction and (c) Sandyknowes junction and Belfast in the latest period for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what the average daily number of vehicles using the M2 Motorway Citybound was between (a) the Toome Bypass and the A26 junction, (b) the A26 junction and the Sandyknowes junction and (c) Sandyknowes junction and Belfast in the latest period for which figures are available.
	I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	By way of background, I should explain that Roads Service collects traffic volume data by means of 270 automatic census points strategically located throughout the Northern Ireland road network. The information is recorded for one week in each quarter during the year and an annual average calculated. The results are published in Roads Service's annual Traffic and Travel Information Report, which presents the traffic volumes in a variety of formats for each site.
	The latest data on the average daily number of vehicles using the M2 Motorway citybound to Belfast is shown in the table below.
	
		
			 Location Average daily flow 
		
		
			 M2 between Toome Bypass and A26 junction. 7,740 
			 M2 between A26 junction and Sandyknowes  junction. 16,090 
			 M2 between Sandyknowes junction and Belfast. 31,540 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful.

Martin Kelly

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with senior Police Service Northern Ireland officers in relation to the investigation into the disappearance of Martin Kelly.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Constable has kept me informed of the progress of the investigation.

Neighbourhood Partnerships

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding each Neighbourhood Partnership has received to facilitate neighbourhood renewal programmes within their areas, broken down by Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

David Hanson: No funding has been paid direct to Neighbourhood Partnerships to facilitate Neighbourhood Renewal programmes within their areas. Funding awarded for such programmes will be allocated to individual service providers.

Neighbourhood Partnerships

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been allocated for neighbourhood renewal partnerships in Northern Ireland; and how much has been drawn down by each partnership.

David Hanson: Funding has been allocated to Neighbourhood Partnerships in Northern Ireland totalling 367,000.
	The total amount that has been drawn down to date is 97,000 and the breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			  Amount received() 
		
		
			 Triax Neighbourhood Partnership-Derry 52,000 
			 Colin Neighbourhood Partnership-Belfast 45,000

NGOs

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) elected representatives and (b) members with political party links who are serving on quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: A list of elected representatives serving on public bodies in Northern Ireland at 15 February 2006 is set out in Table 1.
	Those appointed to public bodies in Northern Ireland are not required to declare their political party links. However, they are asked to declare any significant political activity they may have undertaken in the five years prior to the date of their application.
	A list of non elected individuals currently serving on public bodies in Northern Ireland, who, at the time of their application, declared that they had undertaken political activity in the preceding five years, is set out in Table 2.
	Appointments are made solely on merit, political activity is recorded for monitoring purposes only and plays no part in the selection process.
	
		Table 1: Elected representatives serving on public bodies in Northern Ireland at 15 February 2006
		
			 Name  
		
		
			 Elizabeth Adger 
			 Alex Attwood MLA 
			 Tim Attwood 
			 Janice Austin 
			 Norman Badger 
			 Jack Beattie 
			 Robert Beggs MLA 
			 Jonathan Bell 
			 Madeline Black 
			 Mary Bradley MLA 
			 Pat Brannigan 
			 Ann Brolly 
			 Charles Brown 
			 William Burns 
			 Elizabeth Campbell 
			 Michael Carten 
			 James Cavanagh 
			 Olive Church 
			 Trevor Clarke 
			 Fred Cobain MLA 
			 James Convery 
			 Michael Coogan 
			 Michael Coyle 
			 Margaret Craig 
			 Leslie Cree MLA 
			 Janet Crilly 
			 Ian Crozier 
			 Tierna Cunningham 
			 Brendan Curran 
			 Dermot Curran 
			 Fergus Dawson 
			 George Dawson MLA 
			 Diane Dodds MLA 
			 Robin Drysdale 
			 Roberta Dunlop 
			 Mark Durkan 
			 George Ennis MLA 
			 David Ervine MLA 
			 Allan Ewart 
			 John Feehan 
			 John Finlay 
			 Paul Fleming 
			 Gerard Foley 
			 Lynn Frazer 
			 Shaun Gallagher 
			 Michael Gillespie 
			 Barbara Gilliland 
			 Paul Givan 
			 Robert Graham 
			 Mary Hamilton 
			 John Hanna 
			 Isaac Hanna 
			 Ronnie Harkness 
			 Tom Hartley 
			 Arnold Hatch 
			 Sharon Haughey 
			 William Hay MLA 
			 Michael Henderson 
			 Maire Hendron 
			 Oliver Hughes 
			 Seana Hume 
			 Derek Hussey MLA 
			 Ross Hussey 
			 Robert Irvine 
			 Elizabeth Johnston 
			 Bert Johnston 
			 Sean Kerr 
			 Lord Kilclooney MLA 
			 Daniel De Burgh Kinahan 
			 William King 
			 Daniel Lavery 
			 William Leathern 
			 Alan Leslie 
			 Aodh Lewis 
			 Naomi Long MLA 
			 Ruth Lynch 
			 Louise Marsden 
			 Anne McAleenan 
			 Patrick McAleer 
			 Patrick McAvoy 
			 James McBriar 
			 Catherine McCambridge 
			 Patrick McCarthy 
			 Nelson McCausland MLA 
			 Noreen McClelland 
			 Junior McCrum 
			 Patrick McDonnell 
			 Kathleen McEldowney 
			 Barry McElduff MLA 
			 William McFadden 
			 Alan McFarland MLA 
			 Claire McGill 
			 Michael McGimpsey MLA 
			 Patrick McGinn 
			 Gerry McHugh 
			 Robert McKee 
			 James McKeever 
			 Margaret McKenzie 
			 Karen McKevitt 
			 Maeve McLaughlin 
			 Oliver McMullan 
			 Adrian McQuillan 
			 Sylvia McRoberts 
			 Joe Miller 
			 Oliver Molloy 
			 Barry Monteith 
			 Stephen Moore 
			 Marie Moore 
			 Patrick Mullaghan 
			 Robert Mulligan 
			 Sean Neeson MLA 
			 Thomas Nicholl 
			 Hubert Nicholl 
			 Carmel O'Boyle 
			 Sharon O'Brien 
			 John O'Kane 
			 Eamonn O'Neill 
			 Thomas O'Reilly MLA 
			 William Page 
			 Ian Paisley Jr MLA 
			 Edwin Poots MLA 
			 Anthony Quinn 
			 Geraldine Rice 
			 Drew Ritchie 
			 James Rodgers 
			 George Savage 
			 Maria Smith 
			 James Speers 
			 Jimmy Spratt 
			 Ian Stevenson 
			 Robin Stirling 
			 Charlie Tosh 
			 Kenneth Twyble 
			 Dineen Walker 
			 William Ward 
			 Adrian Watson 
			 William Webb 
			 Peter Weir MLA 
			 Philip Weir 
			 Terence Williams 
			 Andrew Wilson 
			 Brian Wilson 
			 Jim Wilson MLA 
			 Sammy Wilson MLA 
			 Trevor Wilson 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Individuals currently serving on public bodies in Northern Ireland, who, at the time of their application, declared that they had undertaken political activity in the preceding five years
		
			 Name  
		
		
			 Lord Alderdice 
			 John Anderson 
			 Reginald Bicker 
			 Baroness May Blood 
			 Martin Bradley 
			 Joe Byrne 
			 Mel Byrne 
			 Annie Campbell 
			 Vincent Campbell 
			 Albert Catterall 
			 Fionnuala Cook 
			 Annie Courtney 
			 Julian Crozier 
			 Roy Davies 
			 Samuel Fawcett 
			 Sam Foster 
			 Frances Gawn 
			 Una Gillespie 
			 John Gilliland 
			 Colin Harvey 
			 Norma Heaton 
			 Joe Hendron 
			 Ann Hope 
			 Pat Hume 
			 Avila Kilmurray 
			 Colm Larkin 
			 Jim Lennon 
			 Seamus Logan 
			 Desmond Lowry 
			 Alasdair MacLaughlin 
			 William Montgomery 
			 Mary Muldoon 
			 Connor Mulholland 
			 Eamon Mullan 
			 Jim McCart 
			 John McDowell 
			 lain McGowan 
			 Eugene McGrade 
			 Eddie McGrady 
			 Jack McIlheron 
			 Monica McWilliams 
			 Derrick Nixon 
			 Geariod O'hEara 
			 Colin Reid 
			 Thomas Scott 
			 Daphne Trimble 
			 Edward Turner 
			 Nigel Williams 
			 Ryan Williams 
			 Derek Young

NHS Procedure (Costs)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost of an NHS hospital procedure was in each health trust in the Province in 200405.

Shaun Woodward: pursuant to the reply, 7 February 2006, Official Report, c.1153W
	I am now able to provide the information requested.
	The average cost of hospital procedures in each trust in the Province in 200405 was as follows:
	
		
			 Trust/ Hospital Elective average ( per episode) Non elective average  ( per episode) Day cases average ( per attendance) Overall average (unit cost ) 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin 2,032 1,417 503 1,176 
			 Antrim 1,542 1,115 516 1,008 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 6,747 5,133  5,139 
			 BCH 2,233 1,685 314 1,170 
			 Braid Valley 5,117 5,413  5,403 
			 Causeway/  United joint service  765 765 
			 Causeway 1,685 1,918 629 1,461 
			 Craigavon 1,473 1,164 464 971 
			 Downe 1,510 1,803 946 1,407 
			 Greenpark 3,386 4,400 750 2,229 
			 Lagan Valley 1,541 1,508 668 1,173 
			 Mater 1,683 1,297 350 1,047 
			 Mid Ulster 840 1,336 570 1,030 
			 Moyle 3,701 4,248  4,238 
			 Newry and  Mourne 1,833 1,425 572 1,297 
			 Royal Group2,723 2,306 586 1,757 
			 Sperrin Lakeland1,875 1,550 494 1,325 
			 Ulster 1,735 1,163 437 1,008 
			 Whiteabbey 1,846 1,794 497 1,134 
		
	
	Source:
	Trust HRG Returns

Osteoporosis

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the availability of treatment for osteoporosis on the NHS in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: There are a number of different interventions provided by the health service, to prevent and treat osteoporosis, including medicines such as hormone replacement therapy and dietary supplements. Patients will also be offered guidance on lifestyle interventions, such as an adequate diet of calcium and vitamin D, regular weight bearing exercise, and smoking avoidance.
	The choice of any intervention in the treatment of osteoporosis is a clinical one taken in consultation with the patient and based upon the best evidence available. Key factors include the nature and stage of disease progression, the risk and benefits of treatment, the patient age and underlying co-morbidities.

Paramilitary Activity/Arms

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been notified of a threat to them from paramilitary groups and terrorist organisations in each year since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998, broken down by district command unit.

Shaun Woodward: PSNI advises that to collate this information would require substantial work across departments and police districts and would incur a disproportionate cost.

Paramilitary Activity/Arms

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the amount of arms which remain in the ownership of each of the loyalist paramilitary groups.

Shaun Woodward: Publishing estimates of loyalist armaments would be tantamount to pre-empting the IICD's report, which it intends to hand over to the Government once its mandate is complete.
	The Government expects a full report on armaments to be published when the IICD has concluded its work.

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of his Department.

Shaun Woodward: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is not an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	
		
			   billion 
		
		
			 Liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme 37 
			 Deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing 12.7 
			 Current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants 34.4 
		
	
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.

Police

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Police Service of Northern Ireland has spent on (a) advertising, (b) printing and (c) promotional products relating to its new non-urgent incidents telephone number.

Shaun Woodward: The costs attributed to the non-emergency number campaign, exclusive of vat, are as follows:
	(a) Advertising: 157,168.
	(b) Printing: 17,523.
	(c) Promotional products: 7,951.

Police

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements there are for monitoring membership of (a) loyal orders and (b) the Freemasons in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Constable is under a statutory obligation to require each police officer to inform him of any notifiable membership in accordance with Section 51(5) of the Police (NI) Act 2000, or indeed if he believes he has no notifiable membership, of that belief. Section 51(2) makes provision for the chief constable to give guidance to officers whose membership of certain organisations may be regarded as affecting their impartiality. This guidance provides a list of organisations for which membership must be notified.

Police

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the names are of the senior management of the Police Service of Northern Ireland of grades equivalent to the Northern Ireland Senior Civil Service.

Shaun Woodward: The senior management structure in PSNI does not include grades which are equivalent to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. The names of PSNI senior management are listed on the PSNI website, www.psni.police.uk.

Police

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether an audit has been conducted of whether there has been a neutral working environment in the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: A Neutral Working Environmental Audit of the police estate took place in February 2002. During this audit a specialist team inspected each PSNI property and advised area Police Commanders and/or Heads of Departments of any material that required removal under the terms of the Neutral Working Environment Policy.
	A follow up audit was conducted by the team during the first quarter of 2003. Since that time the Oversight Commissioner has continued to monitor compliance and has not found any irregularities.

Police

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what independent reviews there have been of intelligence gathering in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: In November 2002 Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Dan Crompton, presented to the Policing Board his report A Review of Special Branch in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
	In April 2003 the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, published his report Stevens Enquiry 3.
	In May 2003 Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Mr. David Blakey, presented to the Board his report A Thematic Inspection of Murder Investigation in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
	All three reports were concerned with the management and dissemination of intelligence within and by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Police

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much it has cost to police each district command unit in Northern Ireland since 2000.

Shaun Woodward: DCU pay costs in 200203 and both DCU pay and non-pay costs for 200304 and 200405 can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Description 200405 200304 200203 
		
		
			 Ards 10,378,962 11,149,221 9,771,111 
			 Ballymena 8,972,100 8,805,651 7,358,089 
			 Ballymoney 4,404,582 4,746,375 4,314,143 
			 Coleraine 9,284,152 10,016,483 8,744,001 
			 Limavady 5,571,517 6,009,407 5,442,203 
			 Foyle 18,409,539 18,487,807 15,774,725 
			 Magherafelt 7,059,496 7,847,606 6,773,088 
			 Moyle 2,330,499 2,213,154 1,997,222 
			 Omagh 8,406,541 8,697,613 8,521,504 
			 Strabane 8,157,955 8,459,745 7,857,893 
			 Fermanagh 13,157,490 14,855,122 13,756,246 
			 Armagh 9,785,127 10,742,927 9,998,689 
			 Banbridge 6,342,928 6,754,675 6,012,838 
			 Cookstown 5,992,360 6,528,972 5,938,277 
			 Craigavon 12,711,257 13,778,865 12,727,862 
			 Down 11,466,132 12,240,548 11,406,885 
			 Dungannon and South 9,916,688 11,230,257 10,745,994 
			 Newry and Mourne 14,594,629 14,851,096 14,010,244 
			 North Belfast 22,087,805 23,660,945 24,383,982 
			 South Belfast 24,001,832 25,055,899 23,683,518 
			 East Belfast 17,119,208 18,220,284 16,877,843 
			 West Belfast 19,343,424 20,649,077 21,230,747 
			 Antrim 9,999,341 10,268,513 7,889,189 
			 North Down 10,955,418 12,181,413 11,377,327 
			 Carrickfergus 5,859,356 6,431,140 6,068,793 
			 Castlereagh 9,695,065 10,013,002 9,862,327 
			 Newtownabbey 9,099,324 9,232,208 8,658,063 
			 Lisburn 16,211,553 16,916,524 16,911,325 
			 Larne 5,088,133 5,614,398 4,978,059 
			 Total 316,402,412 335,658,924 313,072,185

Police

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been stationed in each district command unit in Northern Ireland since 2000, broken down by rank.

Shaun Woodward: District command units (DCUs) were formed in April 2001. The number of officers stationed in each DCU since 2001, broken down by rank, has been placed in the Library.

Police

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers are stationed at the Port of Larne, broken down by rank; and how many arrests have been made by police officers at the Port of Larne in each year since 2000.

Shaun Woodward: The Port of Larne does not have a dedicated police presence. The policing of the area is the responsibility of Larne district command unit. The present establishment of Larne DCU is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Chief Inspector 1 
			 Inspector 4 
			 Sergeants 9 
			 Constables 52 
			 Full-Time Reserve 9 
		
	
	The PSNI do not hold specific records for the number of arrests at the port of Larne. The arrest figures for Larne DCU from 2000 are as follows.
	
		
			  Arrests 
		
		
			 2000 276 
			 2001 215 
			 2002 298 
			 2003 303 
			 2004 298 
			 2005 339

Police

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been externally recruited to (a) the Police Service of Northern Ireland and (b) the Royal Ulster Constabulary in each of the last 10 years, broken down by community background.

Shaun Woodward: The information is set out in the following tables:
	
		Police officers -- Number
		
			  Year Protestant Catholic Not determined Total 
		
		
			 RUC 1996 191 40 21 252 
			 RUC 1997 463 63 30 556 
			 RUC 1998 242 30 28 300 
			 RUC 1999 206 26 11 243 
			 RUC 2000 31 4 1 36 
			 PSNI 2001 51 54 1 106 
			 PSNI 2002 232 244 3 479 
			 PSNI 2003 221 224 4 449 
			 PSNI 2004 422 305 7 734 
			 PSNI 2005 244 234 5 483 
			 Total  2,303 1,224 111 3,638 
		
	
	
		Civilian staff -- Number
		
			  Protestant Catholic Not determined Total 
		
		
			 1996 58 20 25 103 
			 1997 71 6 10 87 
			 1998 46 13 3 62 
			 1999 208 47 14 269 
			 2000 199 36 8 243 
			 2001 255 46 16 317 
			 2002 67 54 6 127 
			 2003 75 60 0 135 
			 2004 64 30 4 98 
			 2005 50 26 2 78 
			 Total 1,093 338 88 1,519 
			 Grand total3,396 1,562 199 5,157

Police Training Programmes

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision exists for exchange training programmes between police in Northern Ireland and Great Britain similar to the scheme existing between police in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Police College of Northern Ireland has formal memoranda of understanding (MOU) with the National Police Leadership Centre at Bramshill and the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan, both of which are virtually identical to the MOU with the Garda Siochana Police College at Templemore. The Police College of Northern Ireland also attend National Police programme board meetings, sharing good practice and aligning with national learning and development initiatives.
	There are a number of exchange training initiatives currently in existence within the PSNI including the senior leadership development programme at Bramshill and the Scottish Police College senior leadership development programme at Tulliallan. Modules of some of these courses are also taken in Northern Ireland.
	I am advised that officers from the PSNI combined operational training unit have delivered training to UK police officers in the following specific disciplines:
	National firearms instructors;
	Close protection unit;
	Post-incident managers; and
	National method of entry instructor.
	Likewise, the PSNI have sent students to UK police services to receive training in:
	Silver Firearms CommandWest Mercia;
	Bronze Firearms CommandDevon and Cornwall;
	National public order tactical trainerGreater Manchester police and Metropolitan police; and
	Driver and traffic training disciplinesSurrey
	The Police College of Northern Ireland and Scottish Police College co-designed and deliver the leadership in counter terrorism course which has participants from across the UK and Canada. In addition training staff from the Police College of Northern Ireland deliver training in serious crime/intelligence matters to officers at the Scottish Police College.
	The Police College of Northern Ireland also facilitates UK services to observe training courses held in Northern Ireland for the purpose of sharing good practice, for example, Merseyside, Strathclyde and Fife constabularies observed public order training. All of these examples include the exchange of training materials, which in its broadest sense includes information, experience and personnel.

Policing Ombudsman

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent (a) by and (b) on behalf of the Policing Ombudsman in Northern Ireland on research, surveys and focus groups regarding opinions of the general public on that office.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Ombudsman has advised that, since the office was established on 6 November 2000 a total of 91,711.82 has been spent on research, surveys and focus groups regarding the opinions of the general public.

Post-16 Education

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the staying-on rates were for 16 year olds in full time education in each education board in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The requested information is as follows:
	
		Percentage of 16-year-olds in full-time education by education and library board (ELB)
		
			 ELB area 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Belfast 57 57 59 63 73 
			 Western 64 65 66 70 74 
			 North Eastern 63 63 66 67 64 
			 South Eastern 65 66 69 68 74 
			 Southern 68 67 68 68 72 
			 NI total 66 66 68 70 73 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Age at the beginning of each academic year.
	2. Excludes pupils in special and independent schools, and trainees on Jobskills courses.
	3. The small proportion of young people for whom home postcode data was missing has not been assigned to an ELB area. The staying-on rates for each ELB area are therefore slightly undercounted.

Prison Education

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many literacy and numeracy teachers are employed in each prison facility in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: As of the 16 February 2006 the numbers of literacy and numeracy teachers employed by the Northern Ireland Prison Service in each prison establishment are:
	
		
			 Establishment Full-time Part-time Number per establishment 
		
		
			 Maghaberry 6 4 10 
			 Magilligan 6 2 8 
			 Hydebank Wood(101)2 3 5 
			 Total 14 9 23 
		
	
	(101) Three additional full-time teachers are in the process of being recruited for Hydebank Wood

Prison Education

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much education provision in prison facilities cost in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by prison facility.

Shaun Woodward: The expenditure by the Northern Ireland Prison Service to provide education in each of the last full five financial years was:
	
		000
		
			  Maghaberry Magilligan Hydebank Wood YOC 
		
		
			 200001 356 160 288 
			 200102 404 167 223 
			 200203 668 257 237 
			 200304 655 275 251 
			 200405 728 314 313 
		
	
	In addition to the above expenditure, some courses at HMP Magilligan are funded by the Department of Education and Learning and provided by local colleges.

Prison Education

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated for education provision in prison facilities in Northern Ireland between 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Prison Service is currently undergoing its 200607 budget process, and expenditure allocations have not yet been finalised for the forthcoming financial year.

Prisoner Statistics

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of (a) female and (b) male prisoners in Northern Ireland have declared themselves on committal to be from (i) Great Britain, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) the Republic of Ireland and (iv) other places.

Shaun Woodward: On 15 February 2006, the Northern Ireland Prison Service had a total population of 1,367 consisting of (a) 37 females and (b) 1,330 males.
	A breakdown of declared country of residence on committal is detailed as follows.
	
		
			 Committal declaration Female Percentage of female population Male Percentage of male population 
		
		
			 Great Britain 11 29.73 123 9.24 
			 Northern Ireland 17 45.95 1,093 82.18 
			 Republic of Ireland 8 21.62 80 6.02 
			 Other 1 2.70 34 2.56 
			 Total population 37 100 1,330 100 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures exclude immigration detainees as these persons are not prisoners under the terms of the Prison Act 1953. Also excluded are those prisoners who are unlawfully at large as daily population figures do not include such prisoners.

Prostate Cancer

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to encourage men in Northern Ireland to use health centres that specialise in early detection of prostate cancer.

Shaun Woodward: Current research evidence does not support screening for prostate cancer. The main reason is that the current tests have limited accuracy and so follow up procedures could cause harm to healthy men. Men with prostate cancer symptoms are encouraged to seek early advice from their GP. They may ask for a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. However, to enable them to make an informed decision about the PSA test, they need to know about its limitations and the potential side effects which may occur following surgery, these include incontinence and impotence.

Provisional IRA

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the Provisional IRA committed its last crime as a organisation.

Shaun Woodward: The eighth IMC report which was published on 1 February 2006 stated:
	There are indications that in some areas PIRA units have been closing down criminal operations and clearing stocks of contraband goods, and we have reports of. PIRA sanctioned robberies in the period under review. However, members and former members of PIRA continue to be heavily involved in serious organised crime, including counterfeiting and the smuggling of fuel and tobacco.

Public Transport

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of passengers who will be using public transport in Northern Ireland in 2010.

Shaun Woodward: The current projected estimate of public transport passenger numbers for 2010 is 77 million. This compares to the actual total of 72.5 million for 200405.

Punishment Beatings and Shootings

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment (a) beatings and (b) shootings have been attributed to (i) loyalist and (ii) republican groups in each of the last four years.

Shaun Woodward: This information is in the public domain and is easily accessible via the extensive statistics section of the PSNI website.
	http://www.psni.police.uk/ps_attacks_cy-52.doc

Racial Crimes

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents recorded as racial crimes by the Police Service of Northern Ireland have led to (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The following table outlines the number of racially motivated crimes cleared by the police in 200405 (the first financial year for which data are available) and for the current financial year up until 31 January 2006. A breakdown by clearance type is provided which includes the number of crimes cleared by way of a charge or summons.
	
		
			   Crime clearance method  1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 1 April 2005 to 31 January 2006(103) (part year) 
		
		
			 Charge/ Summons 59 68 
			 Caution/informed warning  (including juvenile) 11 5 
			 No further police action(102) 31 41 
			 Total crimes cleared 101 114 
		
	
	(102) Includes cases where complainant declined to prosecute, where the suspected offender is under the age of criminal responsibility or has died.
	(103) Figures for 1 April 200531 January 2006 are provisional and may be subject to revision.
	It is not possible to provide figures for convictions in respect of racially motivated crimes. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Rape

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of specialist services available to the victims of rape.

Shaun Woodward: The four health and social services boards in Northern Ireland, through the local health trusts provide a range of medical and mental health services for victims of rape. These services include counselling, medical services provided in accident and emergency units and specialist services in the Genito-Urinary Unit. In addition, further counselling and support services are provided by the boards through funding to voluntary sector organisations like the NEXUS Institute.
	Within the criminal justice system, the PSNI provides specialist care units to give support to victims of rape and the Northern Ireland court service may provide a range of special measures to assist and support vulnerable victims giving their evidence during court hearings.

Red Diesel

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been (a) fined and (b) prosecuted for the misuse of red diesel in motor vehicles, excluding agricultural vehicles, in (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005, broken down by constituency.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	HMRC records do not identify specific types of oils fraud nor whether they were in agricultural or non-agricultural vehicles. Details of the location of detections are not recorded by the constituency in which illegal activity was detected.
	The number of prosecutions in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland resulting from all forms of illegal fuel activity, not just retail sites, are set out as follows:
	
		
			  Prosecutions 
		
		
			 200304 25 
			 200405 12 
		
	
	The number of civil penalties resulting from all forms of illegal fuel activity, not just retail sites, are set out as follows:
	
		
			  Civil penalties 
		
		
			 200304 2,310 
			 200405 1,914

Schools

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) maintained, (b) controlled, (c) Irish medium and (d) integrated schools have been opened in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: Within the last 10 years, 26 new schools have opened:
	
		
			  Maintained Controlled Irish-Medium Integrated 
		
		
			 1995 0 0 (104)2 0 
			 1996 0 0 (104)2 0 
			 1997 0 0 0 0 
			 1998 0 0 0 0 
			 1999 (104)1 0 0 0 
			 2000 0 0 0 (104)1 
			 2001 (104)1 0 (104)3 (104)1 
			 2002 0 0 (104)2 (105)1 
			 2003 0 0 (104)2 (104)1 
			 2004 0 0 (104)3 (104)3 
			 (105)1 
			 2005 0 0 (104)2 0 
			 Total 2 0 16 8 
		
	
	(104) Primary
	(105) Post-primary
	This does not include new schools that have opened as a result of approved amalgamations during this period.

Schools

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) Irish medium schools and (b) integrated schools in receipt of Government funding in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The following lists provide details of Irish medium, controlled integrated and grant-maintained integrated schools which are in receipt of funding from the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.
	Irish Medium Schools
	Bunscoil an Chastil
	Bunscoil an Iuir
	Bunscoil an Tsleibhe Dhuibh
	Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagan
	Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche
	Bunscoil Cholmcille Primary
	Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain
	Bunscoil Phobal Feirste
	Colaiste Feirste
	Gaelscoil an Damba
	Gaelscoil an Lonnain
	Gaelscoil an Traonaigh
	Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir
	Gaelscoil na Bhfal
	Gaelscoil na Mona
	Gaelscoil U- Dhochartaigh
	Gaelscoil U- Neill
	Scoil an Droichid
	Scoil na Fuiseoige
	Controlled Integrated Schools
	All Children's Integrated Primary
	Annsborough Integrated Primary
	Bangor Central Primary
	Brownlow College
	Carhill Primary
	Carnlough Integrated Primary
	Down Academy
	Forge Primary
	Fort Hill College
	Glencraig Integrated Primary
	Glengormley Primary
	Groarty Integrated Primary
	Hilden Integrated Primary
	Kilbroney Integrated Primary
	Kircubbin Primary
	Portaterry Integrated Primary
	Priory College
	Rathenraw Primary
	Roundtower Integrated Primary
	Grant-maintained integrated schools
	Acorn Integrated Primary
	Armagh Integrated College
	Braidside Integrated Primary
	Bridge Integrated Primary
	Cedar Integrated Primary
	Corran Integrated Primary
	Cranmore Integrated Primary
	Drumlins Integrated Primary
	Drumragh Integrated College
	Dungannon Integrated College
	Enniskillen Integrated Primary
	Erne Integrated College
	Hazelwood Integrated College
	Hazelwood Integrated Primary
	Lagan Integrated College
	Lough View Integrated Primary
	Maine Integrated Primary
	Malone Integrated College
	Millenium Integrated Primary
	Millstrand Integrated Primary
	New-Bridge Integrated College
	North Coast Integrated College
	Oakgrove Integrated College
	Oakgrove Integrated Primary
	Oakwood Integrated Primary
	Omagh Integrated Primary
	Phoenix Integrated Primary
	Portadown Integrated Primary
	Roevalley Integrated Primary
	Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary
	Shimna Integrated College
	Slemish Integrated College
	Sperrin Integrated College
	Spires Integrated Primary
	Strangford Integrated College
	Ulidia Intergrated College
	Windmill Integrated Primary

Schools

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated to (a) Intobhas na Gaelscola- ochta and (b) Comhairle na Gaelscola- ochta in each year since their formation; how much of the funding for Comhairle na Gaelscola- ochta was allocated for core running costs; who the members of its board are; and how many staff are employed.

Angela Smith: (a) Funding provided to Iontaobhas na Gaelscola- ochta since its establishment is as follows:
	
		
			  Allocation () 
		
		
			 200001 1,250,000 
			 200102 500,000 
			 200203 500,000 
			 200304 450,000 
			 200405 420,000 
		
	
	(b) Funding provided to the Comhairle na Gaelscola- ochta since its establishment is as follows:
	
		
			  GrantCore running costs Non-core funding Total allocation 
		
		
			 200102 210,000 0 0 
			 200203 282,494 0 0 
			 200304 397,700 25,000 422,700 
			 200405 423,500 50,000 473,500 
			 200506 (106)378,000 84,000 533,000 
		
	
	(106) Funding provided to date in 200506. Overall budget for the year is 449,000
	The membership of the Board of the Comhairle na Gaelscola- ochta is as follows:
	Padraig O Ceallaig
	Paul O Doherty
	Micheal O Mairt-n
	Brendan Henry
	Aodan MacPoilin
	Gabrielie Nig Uidhir
	Aine Andrews
	M-cheal Mac Aodha
	Labhras O Ciarrain
	Eil-s U- Neill
	Conchur O Braoin
	Aed- n N- Ghadhra
	Dara Woods
	Marion Dorman
	There are currently eight vacancies.
	The Comhairle na Gaelscola- ochta has 15 staff.

Search Warrants

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many search warrants have been granted in (a) East Belfast and (b) Castlereagh district command unit in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland do not hold this information on a central record. A large number of police departments would have applied for search warrants in any given geographical area, including for example DCU crime teams and CID officers, senior investigating officers investigating crimes outside the area whose investigation leads to a location within it, and C1 and C2 departments investigating organised and serious crime. To obtain the details sought would therefore involve a manual trawl of records.

Sex Offenders

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 25 January 2006, Official Report, columns 9078W, on sex offenders, in which schools the three sex offenders have been working; and what their current employment status is in each case.

Angela Smith: I was advised by the employing authorities (that is, the Education and Library Boards, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, and voluntary grammar, Irish medium, grant-maintained integrated and independent schools which employ their staff directly) in January 2006 that three persons, none of them teaching staff, with a conviction for a sexual offence were working in schools. In all cases the offences were committed over 15 years ago, in one case the offence was against a minor and involved a girl who was just under age; in the other two cases the offence was against an adult female. In each case the employing authority knew of the conviction through the pre-employment check and took professional advice. The advice was, in each case, that the person was not a risk to children, and so employment was offered. The employing authorities remain satisfied that these persons do not pose a risk to children and they are still in employment.
	It is not appropriate to identify the schools at which these persons are employed as there is a strong possibility that the individuals will be identified.

Smoking

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many passengers have been fined for smoking on trains in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: Translink has advised that the number of passengers prosecuted, convicted and fined for smoking on Northern Ireland Railways trains for the last 10 years are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2005 (107)3 
			 2004 7 
			 2003 8 
			 2002 6 
			 2001 4 
			 2000 2 
			 1999 8 
			 1998 9 
			 1997 2 
			 1996 3 
		
	
	(107) The figure for 2005 is at today's date. Further incidents from 2005 have still to come to court.

Solicitors

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many solicitors are under investigation for money laundering.

Shaun Woodward: There are currently five ongoing investigations into solicitors and money laundering.

Sonar Underwater Search Equipment

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure the Police Service of Northern Ireland has available to it the most up-to-date sonar underwater search equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The PSNI Underwater Search Unit currently has access to sonar equipment located on the Ken Vickers Fisheries vessel. This equipment and vessel have been used in all recent searches at sea and located the recent sunken trawler at Ardglass.
	In relation to the recent search at Belfast docks for the missing man, Martin Kelly, the Ken Vickers was unavailable for deployment. A side scan sonar was brought in from Humberside police.
	The purchase of side scan sonar for the PSNI is currently being considered as part of the review of the Underwater Search Unit.

Special Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special schools there are in Northern Ireland; for how many pupils each school was built; how many pupils were on the roll of each special school in each of the last 10 years; and how far the pupil who lives the furthest from each special school has to travel to school.

Angela Smith: There are currently 45 special schools in Northern Ireland.
	Unfortunately, due to the age of a number of the special schools in Northern Ireland and that prior to the 1986 Education and Libraries Order (NI) the majority of special schools were built and controlled by the former Department of Health and Social Services, information is not readily available on the number of pupils each school was built for.
	
		Enrolments at current special schools in Northern Ireland, 199697 to 200506 -- Pupils
		
			 School name 199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 
		
		
			 Cedar Lodge Special School 152 152 149 147 145 
			 Fleming Fulton Special School 168 170 165 163 167 
			 Harberton Special School 192 190 202 193 182 
			 Mitchell House Special School 71 76 78 73 77 
			 Greenwood House Assessment Centre 57 55 56 54 59 
			 Park Education Resource Centre 134 131 120 104 101 
			 Glenveagh Special School 154 149 145 160 166 
			 Oakwood Special School 77 93 92 93 94 
			 Clarawood Special School 33 34 32 9 9 
			 St. Francis de Sales Special School 24 21 24 24 24 
			 St. Gerard's Resource Education Centre 243 229 227 217 212 
			 Limegrove School 89 101 91 86 93 
			 Belmont House Special School 230 219 222 208 201 
			 Erne Special School 136 133 134 131 132 
			 Foyleview Special School 107 108 110 108 107 
			 Glasvey Special School 35 32 37 40 38 
			 Knockavoe School and Resource Centre 41 44 41 46 45 
			 Elmbrook Special School (108) 53 54 50 48 
			 Arvalee School and Resource Centre (108) (108) (108) (108) (108) 
			 Rosstulla Special School 140 151 156 159 158 
			 Dunfane Special School 144 142 151 149 149 
			 Beechgrove Special School 23 25 24 20 20 
			 Hill Croft Special School 73 74 75 72 73 
			 Loughan Special School 67 73 69 75 69 
			 Sandelford Special School 94 99 100 103 110 
			 Roddens Vale Special School 55 54 60 57 63 
			 Thornfield Special School 78 82 80 78 80 
			 Kilronan Special School 78 81 79 80 79 
			 Riverside Special School (108) (108) (108) 40 46 
			 Jordanstown Special School 119 117 106 114 118 
			 Beechlawn Special School 255 246 247 252 251 
			 Killard House Special School 204 201 194 178 190 
			 Ardmore House Special School 44 21 43 40 46 
			 Brookfield Special School 114 114 115 110 123 
			 Longstone Special School 189 200 196 200 199 
			 Parkview Special School 111 109 118 123 124 
			 Knockevin Special School 88 89 91 93 92 
			 Tor Bank Special School 141 141 142 143 138 
			 Clifton Special School 95 93 98 99 100 
			 Lakewood Special School(109) n/a n/a n/a 22 20 
			 Rathfriland Hill Special School 92 87 86 93 91 
			 Donard Special School 39 41 39 38 38 
			 Ceara Special School 50 48 48 49 58 
			 Sperrinview Special School 44 48 50 57 56 
			 Lisanally Special School 59 59 65 67 71 
		
	
	
		Pupils
		
			 School name 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Cedar Lodge Special School 138 146 135 137 141 
			 Fleming Fulton Special School 164 160 154 150 145 
			 Harberton Special School 194 190 208 196 203 
			 Mitchell House Special School 74 77 81 72 64 
			 Greenwood House Assessment Centre 54 60 60 55 55 
			 Park Education Resource Centre 91 91 96 114 107 
			 Glenveagh Special School 167 173 174 175 187 
			 Oakwood Special School 106 99 95 100 97 
			 Clarawood Special School 11 12 11 6 6 
			 St. Francis de Sales Special School 24 23 20 25 28 
			 St. Gerard's Resource Education Centre 223 216 205 205 215 
			 Limegrove School 83 87 91 80 67 
			 Belmont House Special School 182 181 188 193 179 
			 Erne Special School 131 123 132 123 108 
			 Foyleview Special School 119 118 115 111 111 
			 Glasvey Special School 40 41 36 33 30 
			 Knockavoe School and Resource Centre 42 41 40 42 53 
			 Elmbrook Special School 51 57 55 56 58 
			 Arvalee School and Resource Centre (108) (108) (108) 148 142 
			 Rosstulla Special School 156 158 150 160 161 
			 Dunfane Special School 157 152 162 151 149 
			 Beechgrove Special School 21 20 19 19 23 
			 Hill Croft Special School 74 79 83 80 81 
			 Loughan Special School 76 73 76 75 77 
			 Sandelford Special School 117 124 134 132 144 
			 Roddens Vale Special School 67 66 70 71 78 
			 Thornfield Special School 81 81 88 92 89 
			 Kilronan Special School 80 80 79 77 75 
			 Riverside Special School 48 49 48 57 60 
			 Jordanstown Special School 104 94 91 86 73 
			 Beechlawn Special School 255 277 277 256 243 
			 Killard House Special School 180 186 185 184 171 
			 Ardmore House Special School 31 25 26 28 10 
			 Brookfield Special School 123 117 123 111 111 
			 Longstone Special School 203 201 190 198 187 
			 Parkview Special School 131 134 134 128 135 
			 Knockevin Special School 87 87 87 89 82 
			 Tor Bank Special School 139 132 132 127 126 
			 Clifton Special School 100 106 109 112 112 
			 Lakewood Special School(109) 62 25 26 24 22 
			 Rathfriland Hill Special School 96 99 91 95 95 
			 Donard Special School 38 42 46 41 41 
			 Ceara Special School 69 78 81 84 91 
			 Sperrinview Special School 64 70 71 69 71 
			 Lisanally Special School 82 95 97 102 96 
		
	
	(108) Means not available. The school was not open at that time.
	(109) This school was not part of the education sector prior to September 1999.
	The furthest distance that a pupil travels to each school is not readily available. However, the greatest distance that any pupil living in each of the board areas has to travel in order to attend an appropriate special school is as follows:
	BELB24 total miles (12 in each direction), Belfast to Hillsborough (Beechlawn School)
	NEELB120 miles (60 in each direction), Ballycastle to Rostulla School in Newtownabbey.
	SEELB60 miles (30 in each direction), Kilcoo to Lisburn, Downpatrick to Jordanstown, Newcastle to Fleming Fulton, Belfast.
	SELB120 miles (60 in each direction) from a SELB location to Jordanstown.
	WELB300 miles (150 in each direction), Londonderry to Dublin (St. Mary's School of the Deaf), child boards in Dublin so travels only on a Sunday night and Friday evening.
	It should be stressed that these journeys are exceptionalthe child in question may have a specific difficulty that can only be dealt with at a specific school. Most other pupils attending special schools may attend any suitable school and these are usually much nearer to their homes. However, with only 45 special schools in NI, the likelihood is that statemented pupils have to travel further on average than pupils attending mainstream schools.

Speed Detection Devices

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what guidance governs the use of hand held speed detection devices on the roads in Northern Ireland by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
	(2)  what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the accuracy of readings by hand held speeding detection devices when used on a slope.

Shaun Woodward: As these inquiries are of an operational nature, the hon. Gentleman should pursue them directly with the Chief Constable.

Springvale Community Outreach Initiative

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was allocated to the Springvale Community Outreach Initiative over the past three years; and what the sources of the funding were.

Angela Smith: The initiative was funded through Executive Programme Funds from September 2003 to March 2005, and since then by the Department for Employment and Learning. Total funding for the initiative since September 2003 amounts to 5.58 million.

Springvale Community Outreach Initiative

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was allocated for salaries within the Springvale Community Outreach Initiative in each year since its formation.

Angela Smith: Salary costs were 152,140.53 in 200304 and 207,506.89 in 200405. The salary costs for 200506 are not yet available.

Springvale Community Outreach Initiative

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been allocated to each (a) community group, (b) project and (c) programme by the Springvale community outreach initiative in each year since its formation.

Angela Smith: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Staff Dismissals

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the dismissals in the Department of Social Development over the last five years have been of (a) Protestant, (b) Catholic and (c) non-determined employees; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the level of dismissals in the Department.

David Hanson: It is not possible to give the community background of the 10 staff who have been dismissed by the Department for Social Development over the last five years as it is the policy of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to withhold statistical data where there are less than 10 Protestants or 10 Roman Catholics. This is to ensure that the religious background of any individual cannot be inferred from the data, and is in line with the policy of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
	The 10 dismissals were mainly due to the application of the Managing Attendance procedures operated within the Department.

Student Drop-outs

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students in further education in Northern Ireland failed to complete their course in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: Data pertaining for all students at NI Further Education Colleges who failed to complete their course are only available since the 200304 academic year. However, a 10 year run (between 199596 and 200405) of final year enrolment (approximately 75 per cent. of total enrolments) non-completion figures on assessed courses is detailed as follows:
	
		
			  Number of final year FE enrolments who fail to complete their course Number of final year FE enrolments Proportion who fail to complete their course (percentage) 
		
		
			 199596 5,494 70,770 8 
			 199697 6,468 74,315 9 
			 199798 7,105 82,080 9 
			 199899 8,707 84,338 10 
			 19992000 8,673 91,250 10 
			 200001 8,423 97,708 9 
			 200102 8,919 91,975 10 
			 200203 11,453 97,662 12 
			 200304 10,149 105,043 10 
			 200405 12,347 116,110 11 
		
	
	Source:
	PELS

Teachers

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers in Northern Ireland have reported a violent incident against them carried out by (a) a pupil and (b) a parent or guardian in each of the last 10 years, broken down by education board.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education does not collect all the requested information. In relation to pupils, statistics on the reasons for suspensions have been gathered annually, since the 200203 school year, from each education and library board. The following table details the number of suspensions for physical attacks on staff for the 200203 and 200304 school years:
	
		
			  200203 200304 
		
		
			 BELB 75 73 
			 WELB 99 72 
			 NEELB 91 49 
			 SEELB 64 79 
			 SELB 36 47 
			 Total 365 320 
		
	
	It should be noted that these figures relate to the number of individual suspensions not to the number of pupils suspended.
	These figures are also available on the Department's website http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/21-pupils_parents- pg/pupils_parents-suspensions_and_expulsions_pg.htm. Statistics are not yet available for the 200405 school year.

Telecommunications Masts

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications for mobile telephone masts in Northern Ireland have been granted in each of the last 10 years; and how many mobile telephone masts there are in each council area in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: Details of the number of planning applications approved since 2000, in each council area, to construct or add to existing telecommunication masts is set out in the table. The planning service is unable to provide the information on the number of telephone masts there are in each council area in Northern Ireland as information is not held on the number of approvals that have subsequently been implemented.
	It is only possible to provide accurate data for the last five years as all the information for previous years is not held electronically and could be extracted only at a disproportionate cost.
	It should be noted that figures up to 2002 also include applications made under the prior approval process. In June 2002 permitted development rights were removed by statute except in the case of an emergency and applications for telecommunications equipment became subject to the full planning process.
	
		Details of the number of telecommunication applications approved since 2000
		
			 Council area 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006(110) 
		
		
			 Antrim 13 9 12 11 8 7 1 
			 Ards 19 12 5 7 2 6 0 
			 Armagh 27 18 12 1 5 5 0 
			 Ballymena 17 14 14 2 2 2 1 
			 Ballymoney 4 4 4 0 0 1 0 
			 Banbridge 11 6 12 2 1 0 0 
			 Belfast 30 106 61 23 26 15 4 
			 Carrickfergus 2 8 2 2 1 3 0 
			 Castlereagh 8 15 7 6 2 6 0 
			 Coleraine 6 26 14 3 0 4 0 
			 Cookstown 8 5 1 2 2 0 0 
			 Craigavon 22 25 7 3 6 11 7 
			 Derry 18 34 18 6 7 13 2 
			 Down 18 14 7 3 4 5 1 
			 Dungannon 28 9 9 4 7 1 0 
			 Fermanagh 15 6 3 4 6 4 0 
			 Larne 12 9 10 3 1 0 0 
			 Limavady 14 11 7 5 6 3 2 
			 Lisburn 26 28 26 9 17 9 3 
			 Magherafelt 4 2 11 0 2 1 1 
			 Moyle 8 6 3 5 1 2 0 
			 Newry and Mourne 25 10 6 1 1 11 0 
			 Newtownabbey 14 21 11 4 7 5 0 
			 North Down 28 30 20 6 6 15 0 
			 Omagh 10 8 2 7 3 5 0 
			 Strabane 2 10 7 2 1 2 0 
			 Total 389 446 291 121 124 136 22 
		
	
	(110) So far.

Unemployment Statistics

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unemployed people there are in each Northern Ireland Westminster constituency.

Angela Smith: Unemployment levels from the claimant count in each of the Northern Ireland parliamentary constituencies at January 2006 are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Parliamentary constituency Claimant count unemployment 
		
		
			 Belfast East 1,073 
			 Belfast North 2,231 
			 Belfast South 1,460 
			 Belfast West 3,071 
			 East Antrim 1,466 
			 East Londonderry 1,707 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 1,379 
			 Foyle 3,529 
			 Lagan Valley 953 
			 Mid Ulster 929 
			 Newry and Armagh 1,468 
			 North Antrim 1,472 
			 North Down 1,021 
			 South Antrim 1,145 
			 South Down 1,382 
			 Strangford 1,196 
			 Upper Bann 1,313 
			 West Tyrone 1,941

Warm Homes Scheme

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) repairs and (b) upgrades of heating systems were undertaken as part of the Warm Homes Scheme in each year since 2001, broken down by parliamentary constituency; and what the costs were of each installation.

David Hanson: In the interests of health and safety and to ensure that all systems are fully energy efficient, all central heating repair and upgrade work carried out under the Warm Homes Scheme has been to new system standard. A repairs specification, to be used in situations where existing systems in need of repair can otherwise operate safely and efficiently, was introduced in November 2005 and to date 43 repair jobs have been carried out across Northern Ireland.
	Information on the number of systems, provided since 2001, which includes repairs and upgrades, is as follows. Information on the specific costs of each installation is not available.
	
		
			  200102 200203 200304 
			  Number Value () Number Value () Number Value () 
		
		
			 Belfast East 42 99,684.14 90 209,776.42 105 245,947.00 
			 Belfast North 85 191,085.37 131 296,713.17 173 389,366.18 
			 Belfast South 12 27,898.78 57 129,619.85 83 197,903.66 
			 Belfast West 92 206,692.80 119 266,950.27 134 314,460.09 
			 East Antrim 18 44,753.49 96 242,973.99 93 252,174.15 
			 East Londonderry 14 37,367.99 123 357,268.11 62 191,617.49 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 81 231,251.14 186 541,502.08 146 440,525.97 
			 Foyle 24 73,631.19 120 357,267.24 86 242,744.99 
			 Lagan Valley 22 61,344.24 78 203,771.14 113 322,545.62 
			 Mid Ulster 69 200,885.74 125 359,626.79 97 296,876.17 
			 Newry and Armagh 29 76,086.35 121 338,436.25 154 471,015.23 
			 North Antrim 38 102,431.25 98 287,971.79 70 213,750.26 
			 North Down 27 69,149.74 76 190,680.61 79 202,585.34 
			 South Antrim 17 49,024.45 47 128,148.17 76 218,302.23 
			 South Down 66 185,137.73 160 465,180.81 185 599,273.59 
			 Strangford 21 56,428.68 59 166,394.57 117 340,170.10 
			 Upper Bann 105 287,152.95 91 262,539.50 124 368,879.83 
			 West Tyrone 49 134,020.17 131 379,259.25 135 402,200.84 
			 Total 811 2,134,026.20 1,908 5,184,080.01 2,032 5,710,338.74 
		
	
	
		
			  200405 2005 to end January 2006 
			  Number Value () Number Value () 
		
		
			 Belfast East 158 405,728.28 86 256,986.23 
			 Belfast North 222 533,056.56 150 406,509.38 
			 Belfast South 101 273,702.78 53 145,942.90 
			 Belfast West 232 655,183.39 172 484,054.47 
			 East Antrim 141 360,302.85 106 286,157.93 
			 East Londonderry 150 445,893.31 117 380,797.76 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 242 744,461.97 244 842,589.12 
			 Foyle 200 613,700.13 138 475,151.24 
			 Lagan Valley 93 282,143.85 97 341,687.22 
			 Mid Ulster 236 766,134.55 225 793,139.43 
			 Newry and Armagh 375 1,248,156.61 233 804,703.98 
			 North Antrim 135 402,520.19 151 511,117.15 
			 North Down 105 267,929.98 124 367,856.80 
			 South Antrim 172 476,092.19 153 462,833.75 
			 South Down 229 765,567.88 183 648,386.61 
			 Strangford 102 283,764.59 80 244,561.11 
			 Upper Bann 276 823,615.22 165 523,636.21 
			 West Tyrone 189 585,311.19 156 538,036.27 
			 Total 3,358 9,933,265.52 2,633 8,514,147.56

Wind Turbines

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many wind turbines there are in Northern Ireland; and where they are located.

Angela Smith: While planning permission has been granted for some 239 turbines of varying sizes over the past five years, no accurate information is available on the numbers of smaller (largely domestic) turbines that have actually been erected following approval.
	In terms of wind farm developments with capacity of over 1 megawatt that have been built primarily to sell electricity to the Northern Ireland grid, there are 113 such turbines currently in operation at nine separate wind farms and located as follows:
	
		
			 Wind farm Location (county) Capacity (MW) Number of turbines 
		
		
			 Corkey Antrim 5 10 
			 Rigged Hill Antrim 5 10 
			 Eliots Hill Antrim 5 10 
			 Slieve Rushen Fermanagh 5 10 
			 Tappaghan Fermanagh 19.5 13 
			 Owenreagh Londonderry 5 10 
			 Altahullion Londonderry 26 20 
			 Bessy Bell Tyrone 5 10 
			 Lendrum's Bridge Tyrone 13.2 20 
			 
			 All existing wind farms ( 1MW)  88.7 113

Youth Service Providers

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which youth service providers have received funding from the Department of Education in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education allocated funding in each year since 1997 to the Education and Library Boards and the Youth Council for Northern Ireland to provide youth services to young people .It also provided funding to the organisations as follows.
	
		
			  Capital Recurrent 
		
		
			 199798 Guysmere The Bytes Project 
			  Hazelbank Youth Club  
			  Patrician Youth Centre  
			  Bosco Youth Club  
			  Hillhall Youth Club  
			  The Guide Association  
			  Strabane Scout Group  
			  St. John Bosco Youth Centre  
			
			 199899 Hazelbank Youth Club The Bytes Project 
			  Long Tower Youth Club  
			  Assumption Youth Club  
			  Greenhill YMCA  
			  CBS1 Downpatrick  
			  St. Bernadettes Scout and Guide Council  
			  Boys Brigade Belfast Battalion  
			  Gosford Guides  
			
			 19992000 Hazelbank Youth Wing The Bytes Project 
			  The Guide Association Millennium Volunteers 
			  CBSI Downpatrick  
			  Holy Family Youth Club  
			  St. Bernadettes Scout and Guide Council  
			  Share Discovery Centre  
			  Boys Brigade Belfast Battalion  
			
			 200001 CBSI Downpatrick The Bytes Project 
			  Omagh Boys and Girls Club Millennium Volunteers 
			  Long Tower Centre  
			  Holy Family Youth Club  
			  St. Bernadettes Scout and Guide Council  
			  Boys Brigade Belfast Battalion  
			
			 200102 Share Discovery Centre The Bytes Project 
			  Boys Brigade Ganaway Millennium Volunteers 
			  Saints Youth Centre YouthNet 
			  Ardoyne Youth Centre  
			  NI Childrens Enterprise  
			  Ocean Youth Trust  
			  Long Tower Centre  
			  Holy Family Youth Club  
			
			 200203 Northern Ireland Youth Forum The Bytes Project 
			  Oasis Youth Centre Millennium Volunteers 
			  Play Resource Warehouse YouthNet 
			  Boys Brigade Shepherds Lodge  
			  11th Belfast Scout Unit  
			  St. Teresa's Youth Centre  
			  Long Tower Youth Centre  
			  Immanuel Presbyterian Youth Council  
			  St. Mary's Youth Association  
			  Pennyburn Youth Club  
			  Dungannon Youth Club  
			  Youth Initiatives  
			  St. Mary's Youth Centre  
			  Patrician Youth centre  
			  Spirit of Enniskillen Trust  
			  Kilskeey and Trillick Youth Centre  
			  2nd Castlederg Youth Council  
			  Enniskillen Methodist Church YC  
			  Summer Madness  
			  Londonderry YMCA  
			  Boys Brigade Ganaway  
			  Greenhill YMCA  
			  BRADuke of Edinburgh Award  
			  Trillick and Disctrict YFC  
			  Dungannon Youth Resource Centre  
			  1st Coleraine Scout Group  
			  PHAB NI  
			  Ocean Youth Trust NI  
			  CBSI Downpatrick  
			  Holy Family Youth Club  
			  Hazelbank Youth Wing  
			
			 200304 2nd Castlederg Youth Council The Bytes Project 
			  PHAB NI Millennium Volunteers 
			  Bannside Youth Group YouthNet 
			  Pennyburn Youth Club Beechmount Community Project 
			  Londonderry YMCA Londonderry YMCA 
			  11th Belfast Scout Unit Star Neighbourhood Centre 
			  Lisbellaw Hurling Club Newcastle Parents Support Group 
			  Dungannon Youth Resource Centre Scoutlink 
			  Enniskillen Methodist Church YC Westrock Parent/Youth Support 
			
			 Group Omagh Scout and Guide Hall Youth Link 
			  Play Resource Warehouse Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club 
			  North Down CFC Lower Ormeau Residents Action 
			
			 Group Oasis Youth Centre Old Warren Community Assoc 
			  Boys Brigade Ganaway YouthAction NI 
			  Patrician Youth Centre Ardoyne Youth Club 
			  1st Coleraine Scout Group Stadium Youth and Community 
			
			 Project Annaclone and Magherally YFC  
			  St. Oliver Plunkett YC  
			  McClure Youth Group  
			  St. Marys Youth Association  
			  Leckpatrick Presbyterian Church YC  
			  Voluntary Service Belfast  
			  Immanuel Prebyterian Youth Council  
			  Greenhill YMCA  
			  Kinder Community House  
			  The Scout Association  
			  John Paul II YC  
			  Bangor YMCA  
			  Newington Youth Club  
			  Hazelbank Youth Wing  
			
			 200405 Lisbellaw Hurling Club The Bytes Project 
			  Omagh Scout and Guide Hall Millennium Volunteers 
			  McClure Youth Group YouthNet 
			  Patrician Youth Centre Stadium Youth and Community 
			
			 Project Kinder Community House Londonderry YMCA 
			  1st Coleraine Scout Group Star Neighbourhood Centre 
			  St. John Bosco YC Youthlink NI 
			  Annaclone and Magherally YC Scoutlink 
			  Voluntary Service Belfast Westrock Parent/Youth Support 
			
			 Group 2nd Castlederg YC Lower Ormeau Residents Action 
			 Group John Paul II Youth Club YouthAction NI 
			  Boys Brigade Ganaway Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club 
			  St. Bronaghs Youth Club Newcastle YMCA 
			  Pennyburn Youth and Community Centre  
			  Kinder Community House  
			  Ardoyne Youth Club  
			  St. Marys Youth Association  
			  Fairhill Youth Centre  
			  Ballyhornan Scout Centre  
			  Ebrington Presbyterian Youth Council  
			  St. Teresas Youth Centre  
			  Greenhill YMCA  
			  Aghadowey Presbyterian Church YC  
			
			 200506 St. Marys Youth Club The Bytes Project 
			  Lisbellaw Hurling Club Millennium Volunteers 
			  PHAB NI Stadium Youth and Community 
			
			 Project Ballysillan Drop In Centre  
			  Youth Action  
			  1st Coleraine Scout Group  
			  5th Belfast Scout Group  
			  Patrician Youth Centre  
			  Kingdom Youth Club  
			  Ardoyne Youth Club  
			  Ebrington Presbyterian Church YC  
			  Deanby Youth Club  
			  St. Aloysius Youth Club  
			  Boys Brigade Shepherds Lodge  
			  Cheers Youth Centre  
			  St. John Bosco Youth Club  
			  Dungannon Youth Centre  
			  Boys Brigade Ganaway  
			  Greenhill YMCA  
			  Aghavilly Youth Club  
			  Bangor YMCA

Youth Service Providers

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what projects are included in the Capital Programme for youth service provision for the next five years; and how much funding has been allocated for each project.

Angela Smith: The spending plans announced in December cover the period to end-March 2008, and provide 6.5 million and 7.5 million for investment in the youth service infrastructure in 200607 and 200708 respectively. Decisions have yet to be taken on specific new projects to be funded in these years.

Youth Service Providers

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much capital funding for youth service provision the Department of Education has allocated in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The following table shows the total amount of capital funding allocated by the Department of Education for youth service provision in each of the last seven financial years. Information prior to this is not available.
	
		
			 Financial year Capital allocation () 
		
		
			 19992000 1,276,000 
			 200001 400,000 
			 200102 1,131,000 
			 200203 1,631,000 
			 200304 2,996,000 
			 200405 4,044,000 
			 200506 4,583,000

HEALTH

Our Health, Our Care, Our Say

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which agency will be responsible for delivering the Fitter Britain campaign announced in Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services; and what funding will be committed to the campaign.

Caroline Flint: Over the coming year we will work with our partner organisations, including Sport England, the London Olympic Games organising committee and across Government, to maximise opportunities for people to take part in recreational health promoting activities. Part of this work will be to develop a campaign and agree the necessary resources that build on the health strategies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new information was gained as a result of the consultation, Your Health, Your Care, Your Say.

Liam Byrne: Your Health, Your Care, Your Say was a wide-ranging listening exercise which unlike previous consultations gave members of the public an opportunity to debate various options for improving community health and social care services. The public's priorities for community health and social care are set out in a research report which is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/74/64/04127464.pdf.

Advocacy Services

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that there will be an efficient handover of outstanding cases following the termination of the North East Independent Complaints Advocacy Services contract with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Liam Byrne: Citizens Advice is working closely with the new providers in order to ensure a smooth transition for clients. Detailed transition plans have been drawn up, the implementation of which will be monitored by departmental officials.

Agency Nurses

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of agency nurses was in NHS organisations in Suffolk in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The following tables show the total expenditure on non-national health service employed nursing staff in NHS organisations by organisations in Suffolk:
	
		Table 1. Expenditure by primary care trusts (PCTs) since 200203, when PCTs were formed. -- 000
		
			 Organisation 200405 200304 200203 
		
		
			 Ipswich PCT 17 22 27 
			 Suffolk Coastal PCT 117 130 5 
			 Central Suffolk PCT 36 100 145 
			 Suffolk West PCT 79 56 56 
			 Waveney PCT 166 149 202 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Expenditure by NHS trusts since 1997. -- 000
		
			 Organisation 200405 200304 200203 200102 200001 19992000 199899 199798 
		
		
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 1,102 1,419 898 939 726 479 377 159 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 401 304 878 995 328 660 503 512 
			 East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Suffolk Mental Health Partnership Trust 725 861 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	Note:
	Expenditure is for non-NHS employed staff including nursing, midwifery and health visiting.
	Source:
	Annual financial returns of NHS trusts and PCTs.

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings she has had with providers of dementia specialist services to discuss the potential impact of withdrawing anticholinisterase drug treatments for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Liam Byrne: Since the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued its latest appraisal consultation document on the use of Alzheimers drugs on 23 January, Ministers have met with representatives of the Alzheimers Society.

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people who care for people with Alzheimer's disease.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the availability on the NHS of memantine for the treatment of moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Liam Byrne: Memantine is currently licensed for the treatment of moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's disease and as such can be prescribed by clinicians on the national health service. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently consulted on draft guidance for the use of four drugs, including memantine, in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. I understand that NICE will be publishing its final guidance to the NHS later this year.

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research has been evaluated on the impact of drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease on entry into full-time care;
	(2)  what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the restriction of drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease proposed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the requirement for (a) care services, (b) care homes and (c) carer time.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not hold comprehensive information on research conducted into drug treatments for Alzheimers disease, but I understand that this issue has been addressed in published research
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's appraisal consultation document sets out in detail the issues that have been considered in arriving at its draft advice.

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each of the last 10 years.

Liam Byrne: The information on the number of people who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each of the last 10 years is shown in the table.
	All diagnoses count of finished consultant episodes and patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in national health service hospitals, England, 199596 to 200405.
	
		
			  Finished consultant episodes Patient count 
		
		
			 199596 27,411 n/a 
			 199697 31,641 n/a 
			 199798 30,369 17,379 
			 199899 30,493 17,776 
			 19992000 28,601 16,830 
			 200001 29,329 16,666 
			 200102 32,042 17,938 
			 200203 19,485 35,369 
			 200304 38,874 21,877 
			 200405 44,213 24,214 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	2. All diagnoses count of episodes
	These figures represent a count of all FCE's where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record.
	3. Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	4. Secondary diagnoses
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	5. Patient counts
	Patient counts are based on the unique patient identifier HES identification (HESID). This identifier is derived based on patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and NHS number, using an agreed algorithm. Where data are incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.
	6. Grossing (finished consultant episodes)
	Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200304 and 200405, which is not yet adjusted for shortfalls.
	Source:
	HES, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government has spent on research into Alzheimer's disease and other associated dementias in each year from 2000 to 2004; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. MRC expenditure on research into dementia 1 in the years in question was as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200001 8.2 
			 200102 6.6 
			 200203 6.6 
			 200304 7.4 
			 200405 not yet available 
		
	
	(111) Including Alzheimer's disease, general dementia. AIDS related dementia, Pick's disease and Huntingtons
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200001 4.7 
			 200102 2.9 
			 200203 1.6 
			 200304 1.1 
			 200405 0.6

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings she has had with health professionals to discuss the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence proposal on the use of (a) Reminyl, (b) Aricept and (c) Exelon for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Liam Byrne: Since the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued its latest appraisal consultation document on the use of Alzheimer's disease drugs, on 23 January, Ministers have met with representatives of the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Alzheimer's Disease

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in West Lancashire in each of the last 10 years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		All diagnoses count of finished consultant episodes and patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in West Lancashire Primary Care Trust
		
			  Finished consultant episodes Patient counts 
		
		
			 199596 54 n/a 
			 199697 51 n/a 
			 199798 45 35 
			 199899 88 55 
			 19992000 74 52 
			 200001 84 54 
			 200102 107 72 
			 200203 121 75 
			 200304 169 90 
			 200405 126 80 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	All diagnoses count of episodes
	These figures represent a count of all FCE's where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Secondary diagnoses
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	Patient counts are based on the unique patient identifier HES identification (HESID). This identifier is derived based on patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and national health service number, using an agreed algorithm. Where data are incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.
	Ungrossed data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, that is the data to ungrossed.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre

Alzheimer's Disease

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people who care for people with Alzheimer's disease in West Lancashire constituency.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Alzheimer's Disease

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions were held with patients groups as part of the current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisal of Alzheimer's drugs.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published, Appraisal Consultation Documents in March 2005 and January 2006 inviting comments from a wide range of stakeholders, including patient groups. Details of consultees for the appraisals are available on NICE's website at www.NICE.org.uk

Alzheimer's Disease

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the potential savings to the NHS as a consequence of the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on Alzheimer's drugs.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has not yet finalised its recommendations on these drugs.

Alzheimer's Disease

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has held with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on her Department's submission to NICE in March 2005 in relation to Alzheimer's disease drugs; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I have had no meetings with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to discuss the Department's submission of March 2005 in response to NICE's Appraisal Consultation Document.

Alzheimer's Disease

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what preferred assumptions were built into the cost-effectiveness outcomes section of the appraisal of drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The assumptions used in this appraisal are contained in the assessment report which is available on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) website at: www.nice.org.uk.
	The assessment committee's consideration of these assumptions is addressed in its draft guidance, which is also available on NICE's website.

Alzheimer's Disease

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her most recent estimate is of the number of patients suffering from (a) mild Alzheimer's and (b) moderate Alzheimer's who are receiving (i) donepezil, (ii) rivastigmine and (iii) galantamine for the treatment of their condition.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Alzheimer's Disease

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions she has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on its appraisal of donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's; on what dates these discussions were held; what the content of these discussions was; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) on 7 February 2006, Official Report, columns 117980W.

Alzheimer's Disease

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's recommendations on use of drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease on those in the early stages of the disease.

Liam Byrne: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet published its final guidance to the national health service following its routine review. Until NICE issues new guidance the original 2001 guidance on anti-dementia drugs remains in force.

Ambulance Service

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of emergency ambulance cover in (a) Beverley and Holderness and (b) Humberside.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the format requested. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1064W, containing emergency calls and response times for the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust from 200001 to 200405.

Ambulance Service

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 1173W, on the ambulance service, on what information the Government's decision to merge the Gloucestershire ambulance service with those of Avon and Wiltshire was based.

Caroline Flint: The local health economy undertook a review of ambulance services. An outcome of which was a detailed consultation on proposals for the future of Gloucestershire, Avon and Wiltshire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trusts. After analysis of the responses received to the local consultation, the strategic health authority approached the Department for endorsement of the recommended proposal to merge the three trusts, which after due consideration of the responses to the consultation, was approved.

Ambulance Service

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances have been available to the Two Shires Ambulance Trust in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

Ashford Hospital

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list services that were provided at Ashford hospital (Middlesex) in July 1997 that are no longer provided on the hospital site; and on what date each of these services ceased to be available at Ashford hospital.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 6 February 2006
	The Department does not hold the information requested. However, Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority (SHA) has provided a list in the table.
	The SHA has advised that the October 2000 and February 2006 changes have been implemented to enable the trust to continue to provide excellent services for their patients in a changing environment.
	Information provided by Surrey and Sussex SHA, February 2006.
	
		List of services provided at Ashford hospital in July 1997 that are no longer provided on the hospital site, and the date each service ceased to be provided
		
			 Date Removed Replaced with Note 
		
		
			 2 October 2000 A and E Department Emergency Department Led by A and E consultant. majority of users could continue to use services, including heart attack, stroke. 
			  Emergency surgical admissions n/a Moved to St. Peter's hospital, Chertsey. 
			  Major trauma admissions n/a Major or mutiple fractures to St. Peter's hospital. Minor fractures continue to be treated at Ashford hospital. 
			  Intensive treatment unit (ITU) High dependency unit (until Feb 06) see below 
			 
			 1 February 2006 Emergency department Walk in centre Nurse led (7am-10pm) with Thamesdoc out of hours service providing cover (10pm-7am). 
			  Emergency medical admissions n/a Moved to St. Peter's hospital, Chertsey. 
			  High dependency unit (HDU) One bay One bay will remain on orthopaedic ward for level 1 patients until commencement of independent sector treatment centre. HDU has moved to St. Peter's hospital, Chertsey. 
			  Coronary care unit (CCU) n/a Moved to St. Peter's hospital, Chertsey. 
		
	
	
		
			 Services added since 1997 Date 
		
		
			 Rapid access centre (112)2005 
			 Laminar flow theatre 2004 
		
	
	(112) November

ATMs (Hospitals)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many ATMs there are in hospitals; and how many of them are free of charge;
	(2)  what her policy is on the siting of automatic teller machines which charge a fee to the user (a) in hospitals and (b) on other NHS sites.

Jane Kennedy: Data on the number of automated teller machines (ATMs) sited in hospitals or other national health service sites are not collected centrally. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested. However, NHS bodies are free to enter into contracts for the installation of ATMs on their premises as an income generation activity. Whether users of ATMs are charged for doing so will depend on the policy of the financial institution providing the ATM, but could be covered as part of the installation contract with the NHS body.

ATMs (Hospitals)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many hospitals ATMs which charge a fee are the only method of obtaining cash.

Jane Kennedy: Data on the number of automated teller machines (ATMs) sited in hospitals are not collected centrally. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested. However, national health service bodies are free to enter into contracts for the installation of ATMs on their premises. Whether users of ATMs are charged for doing so will depend on the policy of the financial institution providing the ATM, but could be covered as part of the installation contract with the NHS body.

Audiology Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified audiologists are employed in each hospital trust; and how many vacancies there were in each trust in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The number of qualified audiologists employed in each trust at September 2004, the three-month vacancy rate at March 2005 and the three-month vacancy number also at March 2005 for audiologists in each trust has been placed in the Library.

Avian Influenza

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why a worker at the Essex quarantine centre was not treated for three days after being exposed to a potential case of avian influenza.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 29 November 2005
	All staff from the Essex quarantine unit were given anti-viral treatment within 24 hours of the first notification of a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Avian Influenza

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the recent deaths in Turkey resulting from the H5N1 influenza strain; and whether her Department will be revising its recommendations with regard to the H5N1 influenza strain following these deaths.

Rosie Winterton: As of 7 February, the Turkish authorities have confirmed 21 cases of H5N1 infection in people from nine provinces. Of these cases, four people have died, three of them from the same family. There is no indication of human to human transmission and cases are so far confined to those who have had close contact with infected poultry. Before cases are confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), diagnostic test results must be verified by a WHO designated laboratory and to date, WHO has confirmed 12 cases of H5N1 infection in Turkey, including the four deaths.
	All those persons returning from Turkey and seeking medical attention for symptoms of respiratory illness with suspicion of H5N1 infection, have all to date proved to have infections other than H5N1.
	A team of experts from WHO, the European Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is assisting the Turkish authorities with further investigations in those areas where cases have occurred in people. There are 22 confirmed outbreaks of H5N1 infection in poultry in 13 provinces and further suspected outbreaks in additional provinces are under investigation.
	It is not proposed to revisit the current advice with regard to H5N1 influenza as a result of the current outbreaks in Turkey. Advice to travellers is available on both the Department's website and Foreign and Commonwealth Office's websites at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceFor Travellers/fs/en.
	www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/ Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1115137377255.
	This is kept under constant review.
	The WHO does not at present recommend any restrictions on travel to any country currently experiencing outbreaks of bird flu in poultry flocks, including countries which have also reported cases in humans.

Avian Influenza

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to each primary care trust to prepare for a possible H5N1 pandemic.

Rosie Winterton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) have not been given specific allocations in respect of planning for a influenza pandemic. National health service organisations have a responsibility to plan for emergencies including a influenza pandemic. Allocations to PCTs have increased by 30.8 per cent. between 2003 and 2006.
	The Department is stockpiling a number of essential items for use in a pandemic including H5N1 vaccine and antiviral drugs.

Benzodiazepine

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on rates of addiction of the reiteration of prescribing guidance for benzodiazepine contained in the Chief Medical Officer's Update 37 of January 2004.

Caroline Flint: The Department has made no formal assessment of the impact on rates of addiction since the reiteration of prescribing guidance for benzodiazepine, contained in the Chief Medical Officer's Update of January 2004.

Bowel Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the letter regarding the roll-out of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, dated 13 December 2005, which was jointly signed by Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 19 January 2006
	The Department has no record of receiving this letter. Since this parliamentary question was tabled we have received a copy of the letter from the hon. Member and we are considering the points raised in it. A reply will be sent shortly.
	The Government are committed to introducing a national bowel cancer screening programme. The Department's budgets for 200607 are currently being finalised, and announcements will be made in due course.

Bowel Cancer

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish all correspondence between her Department and the UK National Screening Committee relating to the timetable for the introduction of screening for bowel cancer.

Rosie Winterton: There has been no correspondence between the Department and the United Kingdom National Screening Committee (NSC) on this subject. It is for Ministers to decide on the details of implementing any new screening programmes once they have received policy advice from the NSC.

Breast Cancer

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of women were examined by a breast cancer specialist within two weeks of a referral from their general practitioner in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: In the last 12 months some 99.7 per cent. of women with suspected breast cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks of urgent referral by their general practitioner.

Breastfeeding

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for the post of breastfeeding co-ordinator in England after February.

Caroline Flint: The Department is mindful of the World Health Organisation's recommendations to host a national breastfeeding co-ordinator. The current postholder leaves the Department at the end of February 2006. The Department is currently exploring how best to resource this area thereafter.

Bristol Health Services Plan

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a copy of the first Gateway Review by the Office of Government Commerce into the Bristol Health Services Plan when it is completed.

Caroline Flint: The responsible officer of the North Bristol National Health Service Trust, as owner of the document, is happy to supply appropriate extracts from the Department's Gateway review of he North Bristol/South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trusts outline business case (OBC) to the Member of Parliament when the final report is available.
	This document is prepared by the Department for the sole purposes of the senior responsible officer for the project and is not released as a matter of routine practice. However, in this instance appropriate extracts will be released at the discretion of the responsible officer in the interests of openness.

Bullying

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facility is in place in her Department to examine incidents of bullying in addition to the internal procedures of individual NHS hospital trusts.

Liam Byrne: Bullying of staff by managers and colleagues has no place in the national health service workplace. The Department keeps abreast of the scope and nature of bullying through the national staff surveys conducted by the Healthcare Commission. Generally, the Department does not examine individual incidents of bullying in the NHS. As a rule, individual NHS bodies should carry out investigations into allegations of bullying using their own internal procedures. Other independent bodies, including the Healthcare Commission, may become involved in, or instigate, investigations.

Cancer

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients normally resident in Tamworth have been treated for cancer in the past 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		All diagnosis count of finished consultant episodes and patients for cancer by primary care trust (PCT) of residence, Burntwood, Lichfield And Tamworth PCTnational health service hospitals, England 200405
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Finished consultant episodes 7,100 
			 Patient counts 1,977 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	All diagnoses count of episodes
	These figures represent a count of all FCE's where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a hospital episode statistics (HES) record.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Secondary diagnoses
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	Patient counts
	Patient counts are based on the unique patient identifier HES identification (HESID). This identifier is derived based on patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and NHS number, using an agreed algorithm. Where data are incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.
	Ungrossed data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, that is the data is ungrossed.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Cancer

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the North West London Strategic Health Authority are identified as having cancer, broken down by London borough; and which dedicated in-hospital units are available to them.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not available in the format requested. However, the following table shows numbers of newly diagnosed cases of cancer, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, registered in 2003, by selected London boroughs.
	
		Numbers of newly diagnosed cases of cancer, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, registered in 2003 by selected London boroughs
		
			 Area Number 
		
		
			 Brent 838 
			 Ealing 1,032 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 534 
			 Harrow 777 
			 Hillingdon 789 
			 Hounslow 709 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 529 
			 Westminster 749 
			 North West London strategic health authority (SHA) 5,957 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been advised by both expert epidemiologists and members of the former steering committee on cancer registration, that non-melanoma skin cancer is greatly under-registered. Registration varies widely depending on a registry's degree of access to out-patient records and general practitioners. For this reason, numbers of newly diagnosed cases of non-melanoma skin cancer have been excluded from the data provided.
	The acute hospitals in the North West London SHA area listed provide some diagnostic, in-patient treatment and palliative care services for some cancers. Specialist surgery for the less common cancers is provided on fewer of these sites:
	St Mary's Hospital
	Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
	Hammersmith Hospital
	Charing Cross Hospital
	Ealing Hospital
	West Middlesex Hospital
	Northwick Park Hospital
	St Mark's Hospital
	Central Middlesex Hospital
	Hillingdon Hospital
	Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals National Health Service Trust
	The Royal Marsden Hospital
	Mount Vernon Hospital

Cancer

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients normally resident in Lancashire have been treated for cancer in Lancashire in the past 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the table shows the numbers of patients who reside in the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority area who were treated for cancer at hospitals based in the area.
	
		All diagnosis count of finished consultant episodes and patients for cancer by selected providers of treatment strategic health authority of residence is Cumbria and Lancashire National Health Service Hospitals, England 200405
		
			 Provider of treatment Finished consultant episodes Patient counts 
		
		
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 8,513 3,567 
			 Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust 7,897 4,575 
			 Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust 1,400 906 
			 Blackpool, Fylde And Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust 12,500 4,003 
			 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 9,220 5,739 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 11,359 5,053 
			 Total finished consultant episodes 50,889 n/a 
			 Total unique patients  23,410 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	2. All diagnoses count of episodes
	These figures represent a count of all FCE's where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a hospital episode statistics (HES) record.
	3. Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	4. Secondary diagnosis
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	5. Patient counts
	Patients counts are based on the unique patient identifier HES identification (HESID). This identifier is derived based on patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and NHS number, using an agreed algorithm. Where data are incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.

Care Provision

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what further steps she plans to take to communicate to (a) the NHS and (b) social services departments the definition of what constitutes (i) free care and (ii) means-tested care;
	(2)  whether she plans to issue new guidance about the (a) procedures to be followed by decision makers when the withdrawal of free continuing care is under consideration and (b) training given to such decision makers as a result of the judgement by Mr. Justice Charles in R (on the application of Maureen Grogan) v. Bexley NHS Care Trust;
	(3)  whether she plans to issue new guidance about the eligibility criteria for free continuing care as a result of the judgement by Mr. Justice Charles in R (on the application of Maureen Grogan) v. Bexley NHS Care Trust.

Liam Byrne: We intend to reinforce existing guidance to the national health service and local councils, alerting them to the decision of the High Court and requiring them to ensure that their current local policies are in line with the judgment. In April, we plan to publish for consultation a national framework for NHS continuing care, which will give further clarity and consistency on the responsibilities of NHS and social services for long term care. The national framework will include guidance on the processes and considerations to take into account when making decisions on the responsibility of the NHS and social services for long-term care.

Care Records

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the implementation of the NHS care records system to be complete, with full national integration and all links to local systems operating.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 February 2006
	The NHS care records service (NHS CRS) is at the core of the national programme for information technology in the national health service, which is being delivered by the NHS Connecting for Health Agency. Initial implementation of the NHS CRS has involved creation of a personal demographic service to contain personal identity details of patients, and the necessary security and access controls. These, together with significant physical elements, are now substantially in place, including the key broadband links to support the service, to which 98 per cent. of general practitioners' practices are already connected. The impact of the service is beginning to be felt more and more widely across the NHS, and there are already over 180,000 registered NHS users in England.
	The capacity and functionality of the NHS CRS will build up gradually over time as new components are added and roll out continues. This year we expect to see further system changes to support the growing number and types of transactions, with full enabling capability provided in 2007. NHS Connecting for Health is aiming to achieve substantial integration of health and social care information systems in England under the national programme by 2010, though we anticipate that additional local systems will continue to be developed and deployed thereafter.

Cervical Smear Tests (Peterborough and Stamford Area)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of cervical smear test results were completed within six weeks in the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust area in the last period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not collected in the requested format. Data on the percentage of smear tests results completed by number of weeks in the Peterborough area in 200405 are shown in the table.
	
		Smear tests in the Peterborough area for 200405
		
			 Primary care trust title Description Number of tests Percentage Notification within 6 weeks (percentage) 
		
		
			 North Peterborough PCT Less than or equal to 4 weeks 1,968 26 70 
			 North Peterborough PCT More than 4 weeks up to 6 weeks 3,268 44  
			 North Peterborough PCT More than 6 weeks up to 8 weeks 1,631 22  
			 North Peterborough PCT More than 8 weeks up to 10 weeks 531 7  
			 North Peterborough PCT More than 10 weeks up to 12 weeks 23 0  
			 North Peterborough PCT Over 12 weeks 9 0  
			 North Peterborough PCT Total 7,430 100  
			 North Peterborough PCT Letter not sent by health authority 350   
			  
			 South Peterborough PCT Less than or equal to 4 weeks 2,170 31 73 
			 South Peterborough PCT More than 4 weeks up to 6 weeks 2,845 41  
			 South Peterborough PCT More than 6 weeks up to 8 weeks 1,354 20  
			 South Peterborough PCT More than 8 weeks up to 10 weeks 522 8  
			 South Peterborough PCT More than 10 weeks up to 12 weeks 17 0  
			 South Peterborough PCT Over 12 weeks 6 0  
			 South Peterborough PCT Total 6,914 100  
			 South Peterborough PCT Letter not sent by health authority 738   
			  
			 Peterborough combined Up to 6 weeks 10,251 71 71 
			  Total 14,344   
		
	
	Source:
	KC53 Returns.

Child Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what changes she plans to make to guidance under the Working Together to Safeguard Children document concerning numbers of doctors and nurses per primary care trust designated to take the professional lead for the protection of children should the plans to reduce the number of primary care trusts come into effect;
	(2)  when she plans to issue an updated version of Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Liam Byrne: The merger of primary care trusts (PCTs) will not affect their duties to safeguard children. PCTs should ensure that establishment levels of designated professionals are proportionate to the local resident population and the complexity of provider arrangements. The Department have been working closely with the Department for Education and Skills, which plans to publish the updated version of Working Together to Safeguard Children in spring.
	The new guidance sets out the importance of local safeguarding children boards having access to expertise and advice from all relevant sectors, including a designated doctor and nurse.

Child Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what links are in place between Local Safeguarding Children Boards and designated doctors and nurses within primary care trusts taking the professional lead for protection of children.

Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government published the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance on 22 December 2005. The core membership of Local Safeguarding Children Boards is set out in the Children Act 2004 and includes the local primary care trust or trusts. Primary care trusts as statutory partners of Local Safeguarding Children Boards are required to co-operate with the local authority in the establishment and operation of the boards and will have shared responsibility for the effective discharge of its functions.
	The Government have made clear in the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance that the LSCB should have access to appropriate expertise and advice, including a designated doctor and nurse.

Childhood Vaccinations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her policy of routine vaccinations of infants against influenza.

Caroline Flint: Flu vaccination is currently offered to all children over the age of six months who fall in to one of the defined clinical risk groups:
	chronic respiratory disease, including asthma;
	chronic heart disease;
	chronic renal disease;
	chronic liver disease;
	diabetes and
	immuno-suppression

Children (Accidents)

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national target she has set for reducing the number of children killed or injured in accidents by 2009.

Caroline Flint: The Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation (1999) White Paper set a target to reduce the death rate from accidents by at least one fifth and the rate of serious injury by one tenth by 2010.
	Although the target is set for all ages, rates are monitored for accidental death and serious injury for children. In 2000, the Government also set a target to reduce by a half the number of children, under 16 years, killed and seriously injured on the roads of Great Britain by 2010, compared with the average for 199498. However, in 2002, to tackle the significantly higher incidence of road casualties in disadvantaged communities, the Government set a further target to reduce the number of casualties in deprived areas in England, faster than across England as a whole. This will be judged against 2005 casualty data.

Children's National Service Framework

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what time scales have been agreed between her Department and the Healthcare Commission for auditing the children's national service framework;
	(2)  when she expects indicators on the implementation of the children's national service framework to be set.

Liam Byrne: Discussions between the Department and the Healthcare Commission about time scales for auditing, and indicators for the implementation of the children's national service framework are ongoing, and are expected to conclude by September 2006.

Clinical Trials

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence may recommend restricting to clinical trials the use of licensed and approved drugs that have successfully completed the clinical trial process.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE'S) appraisal committee has discretion to determine recommendations on the use of a health technology, in accordance with its published procedures. When the evidence is insufficient to allow the appraisal committee to recommend for or against the use of a technology, it may recommend use in clinical trails in order to generate further data, which may be used at a point in the future to make a definitive recommendation.

Communication Impairment

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people in England with communication impairments; and how many she estimates require augmentative and alternative communication equipment.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Congenital Heart Conditions

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the North West London strategic health authority are identified as having a grown-up congenital heart condition, broken down by London borough; and which dedicated in-hospital units are available to them.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold any data on numbers of adults with congenital heart disease by strategic health authority (SHA) or London borough.
	The nearest dedicated units available to adults with congenital heart disease living in North West London SHA are the National Heart hospital and the Royal Brompton hospital.

Conservative Party's Health Policy

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has produced a brief on the Conservative party's health policy since 6 December 2005.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 30 January 2006
	In briefing Ministers on health policy officials seek to take note of the views of all stakeholders, including patients and the public, frontline workers, the voluntary and independent sectors, the media and political parties.

Continence Services

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when she will implement the standard on continence services within the ill child module of the children's national service framework;
	(2)  what method she will use to measure progress towards the implementation of the standard on continence services within the ill child module of the children's national service framework.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 21 November 2006
	Paediatric continence services will be implemented and assessed as the children's national service framework (NSF) is phased in. The assessment of availability and access to effective and quality led health care form a part of the duties of the Healthcare Commission, which is in discussion with the Department about auditing implementation of the children's NSF. These discussion are expected to conclude by September 2006.

Correspondence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to her letter of 6 February 2006 to the hon. Member for St. Albans, ref 00000059419, if she will place all her Department's correspondence in relation to Mr. Steve Wright in the Library.

Liam Byrne: Correspondence containing individuals' personal data is not placed in the Library.

Correspondence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to her letter of 6 February 2006 to the hon. Member for St. Albans, ref. 00000059419, how much of the 143 million for genito-urinary medicine clinics was given to each primary care trust; over what time period; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: In February 2005, individual primary care trusts (PCTs) were notified of their Choosing Health revenue allocation. A separate breakdown for genito-urinary medicine has not been given. In 200607 91.5 million will be allocated to PCTs for sexual health modernisation which includes funding for Chlamydia screening and contraception and abortion services and a further 111.5 million will be allocated in 200708. In addition, a further 15 million for capital was allocated this financial year for sexual health services and a further 25 million capital in 200607 for sexual health will be allocated.

Cystic Fibrosis

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her Department's progress in implementing newborn screening for cystic fibrosis in all parts of the country.

Liam Byrne: The Department is working closely with the United Kingdom newborn screening programme centre and commissioners to ensure a phased roll out to allow sites to be trained and ready for the new service.

Delayed Operations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations originally scheduled for before 31 March are to be delayed for financial reasons until the 200607 financial year.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not available centrally. At the end of 2005, the maximum waiting time for first out-patient appointment with a consultant fell to 13 weeks and the maximum waiting time for inpatient treatment fell to six months. We remain committed to these targets.

Dementia

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth of 31 January 2006, Official Report, columns 1612W, on dementia, whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence intends to levy charges for providing the South African Department of Health with its guidance.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has agreed to explore how it can provide the South African Department of Health with its guidance under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding that the Department has signed with the South African Government.
	Discussions to clarify how NICE can help are due to take place shortly, and no decision will be taken about whether it may or may not appropriate to levy charges until these discussions have taken place.
	Copies of all of NICE'S guidance is already freely accessible via their website.

Dentistry

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were registered with an NHS dentist in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in each of the last five years; and what percentage of the population that represented in each year.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS): Number and percentage of people who were registered with a national health service dentist in Newcastle Primary Care Trust as at 30 September in each specified year
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2001 141,552 53 
			 2002 148,039 56 
			 2003 144,531 54 
			 2004 148,691 55 
			 2005 156,652 58 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Most PDS schemes that have registrations have re-registration periods in excess of 15 months, so the figures for PDS schemes are generally higher than they would have been for the same attendance pattern under GDS.
	2. 200204 population data are an estimate based on the 2001 resident census.
	3. 2005 percentages have been calculated using 2004 population data.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists she estimates will be working in the NHS in (a) 2006, (b) 2007 and (c) 2008, based on current trends.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available.
	The number of dentists providing national health service primary care services has increased from 18,167 in September 2000 to 20,890 in September 2005. This is an average increase of 2.8 per cent. each year.

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statutory duty is placed on primary care trusts to provide access to NHS dentistry; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: After April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) will continue to have a duty under section 16CA(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977 to provide primary dental services to the extent considered necessary to meet all reasonable requirements in their area.
	The dental reforms being implemented from April 2006 will give PCTs greater flexibility to develop services in ways that reflect the needs of their local populations.

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of registered dentists were practising in England but not working within the NHS in the latest year for which figures are available; and what she estimates this figure will be in (a) 2006, (b) 2007 and (c) 2008, based on current trends.

Rosie Winterton: Data on registered dentists practising in England but not working within the national health service are not held centrally.
	In 2003, the Office of fair Trading, in its report The Private Dentistry Market in the UK, estimated that around 200 of the United Kingdom's 11,000 dental practices provided no NHS treatment at all.

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of five-year-olds had no decayed, filled or missing teeth, according to the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry Survey of the dental caries experience of five-year-old children in (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally. The results of the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry surveys are available on its website at: www.bascd.org/annual_survey_results.php

Dentistry

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there are in Tendring; and how many there were in each of the past five years.

Rosie Winterton: Data on the number of dentists working purely in private practice are not held centrally. The numbers of national health service dentists with a general dental service (CDS) contract or personal dental services (PDS) contract for the specified primary care trust (PCT) is shown in the table.
	
		Dentists within Tendring PCT as at 30 September each year
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001 45 
			 2002 44 
			 2003 43 
			 2004 46 
			 2005 55 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data include all notifications of dentists joining or leaving the CDS or PDS, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 19 October 2005. Figures for the numbers of dentists at specified dates may vary depending upon the notification period, e.g. data with a later notification period will include more recent notifications of dentists joining or leaving the CDS or PDS.
	2. Dentists include principals, assistants and trainees. Prison contracts have been excluded from the data.
	3. The postcode of the dental practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. PCT areas have been defined using the Office for National Statistics all fields postcode directory.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people in the Peterborough city council unitary authority area who are unable to register with an NHS dentist.

Rosie Winterton: The number of people unable to register with a national health service dentist is not collected centrally.
	The number of people registered with an NHS dentist in the Peterborough Local Authority (LA) area as at 30 September 2005 was 93,318. We estimate this figure to be 59 per cent. of the total population of the Peterborough LA area which, using the latest available population figures, was estimated to be 159,084 in 2004.
	Notes:
	1. Data include General Dentist Service (GDS) and Personal Dental Service (PDS) registrations/PDS patients seen (counts patients seen in the past 15 months for some PDS schemes).
	2. Most PDS schemes that have registrations have re-registration periods in excess of 15 months, so the figures for PDS schemes are generally higher than they would have been for the same attendance pattern under GDS.
	3. 2004 population data are an estimate based on the 2001 resident census and is the latest available data.
	4. 2005 percentages have been calculated using 2004 population data.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase the number of NHS dentists in Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency.

Rosie Winterton: From April 2006, new contracts for dentists will abolish the traditional fee per item remuneration system and support new ways of working. Evidence from personal dental services pilot schemes is that these new ways of working free up significant capacity that dentists can use to spend more time with patients and provide more preventative care.
	Dentists' current national health service earnings will be protected for at least three years and there will be a 5 per cent. reduction in the courses of treatment that general dental services practitioners are expected to carry out each year.
	From April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) will also have devolved responsibility and ring-fenced budgets for commissioning primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist leaves the NHS or reduces their NHS commitment, the resources stay with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.

Dentistry

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in Manchester Withington have stopped taking on new NHS patients in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to improve dental services in Doncaster North constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available at constituency level. However, the three Doncaster primary care trusts (PCTs) have been working to improve national health service dental services across Doncaster.
	There are currently 43 dental practices across Doncaster. A centralised booking system is in place for patients wishing to register with a dentist and patients are allocated to a general dental practice as and when places become available. In addition, the dental access centre in Mexborough accepts patients from all over South Yorkshire and offers a range of emergency dental treatment. Plans are under consideration to increase the throughput of patients to satisfy the great demand currently being experienced.
	Two Polish dentists have been recruited to work in Doncaster.
	Doncaster PCTs have received a total of 10.7 million in revenue allocations for personal dental services (PDS) in 200506. This is broken down as follows.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 Doncaster Central PCT 4.829 
			 Doncaster East PCT 2.091 
			 Doncaster West PCT 3.780 
		
	
	More than 70 per cent. of Doncaster's dental practices have transferred to the new PDS contract.
	Since the end of March 2004, capacity across South Yorkshire has been increased by the equivalent of 45 whole-time equivalent dentists and this will enable 80,800 new patient registrations over the next two to three years.

Dentistry

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the reforms of NHS dentistry that come into effect on 1 April 2006.

Rosie Winterton: From April 2006, new contracts for dentists will abolish the traditional fee per item remuneration system and support new ways of working. Evidence from personal dental services pilot schemes is that these new ways of working free up significant capacity that dentists can use to spend more time with patients and provide more preventative care.
	Dentists' current national health service earnings will be protected for at least three years and there will be a five per cent, reduction in the courses of treatment that general dental services practitioners are expected to carry out each year.
	From April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) will also have devolved responsibility and ring-fenced budgets for commissioning primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist leaves the NHS or reduces their NHS commitment, the resources stay with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.

Dentistry

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase the number of NHS dentists in West Lancashire constituency.

Rosie Winterton: Since 200304, the Department has invested an additional 250 million in national health service dentistry and supported the NHS in recruiting the equivalent of an extra 1,459 dentists to improve patient access. The Government is also funding an additional 170 training places per year from 2005.
	From April 2006, the NHS will be implementing major reforms to dentistry to build upon this success. New contracts for dentists will abolish the traditional fee per item remuneration system and support new ways of working with a greater focus on preventative care. Evidence from personal dental services pilot schemes is that these new ways of working free up significant capacity that dentists can then use in part to see a greater range of patients.
	Dentists' current NHS earnings will be protected for at least three years and there will be a 5 per cent. reduction in the courses of treatment that general dental services practitioners are expected to carry out each year.
	From April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs), including West Cumbria PCT, will also have devolved responsibility and ring-fenced budgets for commissioning primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist leaves the NHS or reduces their NHS commitment, the resources stay with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.

Dentistry

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether dental practitioners will continue to receive NHS income if they do not sign the new General Dental Services contract by (a) 28 February and (b) 1 April.

Rosie Winterton: If general dental practitioners have not signed a general dental services (CDS) contract or personal dental services (PDS) agreement by 31 March 2006 they will not receive national health service income after that date but will be entitled to claim payment for incomplete GDS treatment provided up to 31 March. Prospective contractors have been advised to finalise arrangements by the end of February to ensure smooth cashflow during the changes.
	After 1 April, new contracts for NHS primary dental services will be a matter for local agreement between primary care trusts and dentists.

Dentistry

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the new General Dental Services contract was published for (a) consultation and (b) dental practitioners to sign;
	(2)  if she will list the bodies she consulted on the new General Dental Services contract; and how long the consultation period lasted.

Rosie Winterton: The National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 and The National Health Service (Personal Dental Services Agreements) Regulations 2005 were not subject to the formal 12-week public consultation but were published on the Department's website on 1 August 2005 and comments were invited by the end of September. The British Dental Association, British Orthodontic Society and the General Dental Practitioners Association were among the bodies to comment on the draft regulations. Their comments were taken into account before the publication of the revised regulations on 9 December 2005.
	The regulatory impact assessment for these regulations is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/65/04/04126504.pdfand includes the outcome of this consultation.
	The contract regulations came into force on 1 January 2006, enabling primary care trusts and dentists to agree local contracts from this date (for provision of services from 1 April 2006 onwards).

Dentistry

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase the number of NHS dentists in (a) the Tameside and Glossop primary care trust area and (b) the Stockport primary care trust area.

Rosie Winterton: Since 200304, the Department has invested an additional 250 million in national health service dentistry and supported the NHS in recruiting the equivalent of an extra 1,459 dentists to improve patient access. The Government is also funding an additional 170 training places per year from 2005.
	From April 2006, the NHS will be implementing major reforms to dentistry to build upon this success. New contracts for dentists will abolish the traditional fee per item remuneration system and support new ways of working with a greater focus on preventative care. Evidence from personal dental services pilot schemes is that these new ways of working free up significant capacity that dentists can then use in part to see a greater range of patients.
	Dentists' current NHS earnings will be protected for at least three years and there will be a 5 per cent. reduction in the courses of treatment that general dental services practitioners are expected to carry out each year.
	From April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs), including Tameside and Glossop PCT and Stockport PCT, will also have devolved responsibility and ring-fenced budgets for commissioning primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist leaves the NHS or reduces their NHS commitment, the resources stay with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.

Dentistry

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that NHS dental services are provided to everyone who needs them.

Rosie Winterton: Since 200304, the Department has invested an additional 250 million in national health service dentistry and supported the NHS in recruiting the equivalent of an extra 1,459 dentists to improve patient access. The Government are also funding an additional 170 training places per year from 2005.
	From April 2006, the NHS will be implementing major reforms to dentistry to build upon this success. New contracts for dentists will abolish the fee per item remuneration system and support new ways of working with a greater focus on preventative care. Evidence from personal dental services pilot schemes is that these new ways of working free up significant capacity that dentists can then use in part to see a greater range of patients.
	From April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) will also have devolved responsibility and ring-fenced budgets for commissioning primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist leaves the NHS or reduces their NHS commitment, the resources stay with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.

Dentistry

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists worked in the area covered by (a) East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust and (b) Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 16 February 2005, Official Report, column 2305W.

Dentistry

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will collect information at constituency level on the average waiting time to become a patient of an NHS dentist.

Rosie Winterton: From 1 April 2006, primary care trusts will have devolved responsibility for commissioning primary dental services and it will be their responsibility to collect relevant information regarding access to dentistry for their local area.

Dentistry

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate her Department has made of the effect of the changes to NHS dentistry on costs to (a) Wakefield West primary care trust and (b) the NHS over the next five years.

Rosie Winterton: Wakefield West primary care trust (PCT) and other PCTs have received notification of the dedicated budgets that they will receive in 200607 with which to commission primary dental care services. These devolved budgets are designed to enable PCTs to meet the costs of all existing general dental services and personal dental services in their area, as measured during the reference period October 2004 to September 2005, and where any contracts are closed, to re-use the relevant funding to re-commission services locally. There will be an additional cost to a PCT in so far as it chooses to commission additional services above this level. These budget allocations will form the baseline for future years' budgets. The budgets will be ring-fenced for at least three years, that is, until the end of 200809.

Dentistry

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made to ensure that NHS orthodontic practices which have not signed new contracts by 28 February 2006 remain within the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: Dentists providing services under general dental services and personal dental services under section 35 of the National Health Service (NHS) Act 1977 immediately before 1 April 2006 will be entitled to a new contract.
	Where dentists do not agree new contracts by 31 March 2006, they will not have an automatic right to a national health service contract. However, primary care trusts will be able to enter into new contracts with dentist if they wish to do so, taking into account the needs of their local population.

Dentistry

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on patients of the Government's new arrangements for orthodontic treatment.

Rosie Winterton: The new arrangements for commissioning orthodontic services drew on the learning from a personal dental services (PDS) pilot for orthodontic care. An evaluation of this and other PDS pilots was undertaken by the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry and Health Services Management Centre. The report of the evaluation, Personal Dental Services (PDS) Pilots: Final Report of the National Evaluation is available at: www.hsmc.bham.ac.uk/publications/pdf-reports/finalpdsrep.pdf.
	The new arrangements are designed to ensure that assessment of need for orthodontic treatment is carried out more fairly and consistently. They are also designed to help improve the quality of orthodontic interventions and provide the best and most stable outcomes for children.

Departmental Catering Budget

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much and what proportion of her Department's catering budget was spent on fair trade produce in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: None of the Department's catering budget was spent on Fair Trade produce within the last year. We and our catering contractor, Quadrant are investigating supplier alternatives that might allow the Department to introduce Fair Trade items.

Departmental Catering Budget

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's policy is on the procurement of fair trade produce for consumption on its premises.

Liam Byrne: The Department has no formal policy for the purchase of Fair Trade goods. However, the Department is committed to promoting and supporting fair and ethical trading wherever possible.

Departmental Equipment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) laptops and (b) mobile phones her Department bought in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each category of equipment was in each year.

Liam Byrne: Laptops and mobile phones are purchased via the Department's information management services provider, Computer Sciences Corporation. Numbers bought and the related costs from financial year 199798 to 200405 are shown in the table:
	
		
			  Number of laptops bought Cost of laptops () Number of mobile phones bought Cost of mobile phones () 
		
		
			 199798 393 466,977 109 6,161 
			 199899 307 405,797 266 5,754 
			 19992000 239 380,420 385 4,603 
			 200001 270 451,295 311 6,007 
			 200102 252 460,904 306 6,229 
			 200203 308 480,064 182 5,239 
			 200304 351 518,166 30 2,399 
			 200405 235 289,801 15 1,439 
		
	
	From 1 April 2005, local records of equipment purchases were discontinued and the Department's Oracle financial system used as the accounting mechanism. Oracle does not identify individual types of equipment purchased. However, Computer Services Corporation has confirmed that 155 laptops have so far been purchased in 200506 at an average price of 968.60 each.
	From the same date, purchasing, as well as financing, of mobile phones was delegated to business areas across the Department. There are therefore no central records of mobile phone purchases and costs for 200506.

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department spent on bottled water in 200405.

Liam Byrne: The Department spent 45,738 in 200405 on bottled mineral water for hospitality.

Departmental Salaries/Staff

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what salary she expects to be paid to her Department's new director of (a) commissioning, (b) provider development, (c) social care and (d) policy and strategy.

Liam Byrne: The appointment and selection processes for filling the posts of director of social care and policy and strategy have not yet begun. An external advertisement, for the posts of director of commissioning and provider development, is due to appear this week.
	All four posts fall within a pay range of 93,139 to 132,586. The recruitment and performance ceiling of the range is 198,197. Senior civil service salary ranges are currently under review and may increase with effect from the 1 April 2006. The Department's guidelines about pay on appointment or promotion to the senior civil service will apply if a serving civil servant is successful for any of the roles.

Departmental Salaries/Staff

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many disciplinary actions against civil servants employed in her Department (a) were commenced and (b) resulted in a sanction being applied in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The Department only holds records of disciplinary cases for the last two years. In this time, 32 disciplinary actions against civil servants were commenced of which 19 resulted in sanction being applied.

Departmental Salaries/Staff

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has to change the London allowance of its staff; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not pay London allowances as part of its current pay system. We are considering the introduction of London pay ranges for staff below the senior civil service level as part of our new reward strategy due to be implemented later this year.

Departmental Salaries/Staff

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff employed by her Department live in Castle Point.

Liam Byrne: The information contained on the Department's human resources information technology systems indicated that there are three members of departmental staff living in Castle Point.

Direct Payments

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England are eligible to receive direct payments; and how many have taken them up.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of people eligible for direct payments is not held centrally. An estimated 980,700 people aged 18 and over received community-based services as at 31 March 2005 in England. This is an overestimate of the number eligible as not all social care services are included in the direct payments legislation, although a great many of the services for which local councils are responsible are. The regulations provide that the duty to make direct payments applies to:
	a community care service within the meaning of section 46 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; or
	a service under section 2 of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000; or
	a service which local councils may provide under section 17 of the 1989 Act (provision of services for children in need, their families and others).
	Wherever a person is assessed as needing social care services, a council should check whether there is a duty to make a direct payment in respect of that service. As at 31 March 2005 in England, some 22,100 people received direct payments. This excludes direct payments given to carers and parents of disabled children.

Direct Payments

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support and advocacy systems she plans to establish to encourage the take-up of direct payments.

Liam Byrne: In the White Paper Our health, our care, our say, we made a firm commitment to launch a national campaign to raise awareness and improve understanding of the benefits of direct payments. We are at the scoping stage of this campaign and are currently considering a range of options for encouraging take-up of direct payments. Support and advocacy systems will be considered alongside other options.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the ability of community services to deliver the National Service Framework recommendation on equipment for disabled children; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the Department for Education and Skills on co-ordinating basic data on (a) the number and needs of disabled children in local areas, (b) the inclusion of disabled children in Children Act databases and (c) the inclusion of disabled children in the Common Assessment Framework; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department has funded the integrating community equipment services initiative, ranging across health and social care, to address the need to modernise, develop and improve access to equipment for disabled children. Improving the capability of the community services will help to deliver recommendations within the children's national service framework (NSF) on the availability of equipment and assistive technology. The Department is also in discussion with the Healthcare Commission on implementing the children's NSF, and the Healthcare Commission will be taking forward thematic reviews to assess progress.
	Officials from the Department and the Department for Education and Skills continue to work together on developing services in line with the NSF and on the common assessment framework. Officials are working on a range of issues including safeguarding children, children's palliative care, children with complex disability and extending the child health mapping exercise. The mapping exercise is an annual survey indicating the nature of current provision and promoting the commissioning of high quality services.

Disability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the performance of the local individual budget pilots set up to improve the life chances of disabled people; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The first individual budget pilot site, West Sussex County Council, focuses on older people and began in December 2005. 12 more pilots are coming on stream during the first half of 2006. All pilots are being comprehensively evaluated by a consortium of academic social policy research units. We anticipate that a body of evidence will be available in 2008 to inform plans for national roll-out.

Domiciliary Oxygen

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what consultation was undertaken with patient organisations before the decision to introduce new arrangements for the supply of domiciliary oxygen;
	(2)  what representations she received during the consultation on the reconfiguration of the domiciliary oxygen service; and how many were in favour of removing the supply from the community pharmacy network.

Jane Kennedy: For many years, patient organisations have sought improvements in the domiciliary oxygen service, which has seen little change over the past 50 years. The Department asked the Royal College of Physicians to lead a multi-disciplinary working group, which reported in 1999, to review the clinical assessment and prescribing of oxygen therapy in the home. Following a further review, we announced plans for change in June 2003. Patient organisations have contributed to the specification for the new serviceas patients want better access to modern equipment that can help improve their quality of life, including portable systems that enable them to leave the home. These are important features of the new service.
	The majority of organisations representing health care professionals and the national health service were also in favour of arrangements in which a single supplier provides all home oxygen needs, replacing the fragmented service in which community pharmacies deliver the cylinder service and other organisations provide other services.

Domiciliary Oxygen

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been put in place for doctors and patients to obtain domiciliary oxygen supplies in an emergency since the introduction of new arrangements for the supply of domiciliary oxygen on 1 February.

Jane Kennedy: Plans are in place to manage the change to the new arrangements over a six-month programme from 1 February 2006 in order to support continuity in patient services. These include a phased transfer of patients, over this period, to new suppliers. However, in the first few days, huge volumes of orders many for delivery of oxygen supplies at a future datedisrupted this programme. Prompt action has put these plans back on course with close monitoring to ensure patients receive a reliable service. Meanwhile, doctors and patients should continue to use the current arrangements for obtaining cylinder oxygen from community pharmaciesincluding where needed in an emergencyuntil a patient transfers to a new supplier.

Domiciliary Oxygen

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of unplanned admissions to hospital since 1 February resulting from problems with the domiciliary oxygen supply service;
	(2)  how many complaints local primary care organisations have received about domiciliary oxygen supply services in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not held centrally as the former and new home oxygen service is locally managed.

Dr. Jayanti Ghosh

Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the Northumberland Primary Care Trust of the suspension of Dr. Jayanti Ghosh is; and what legal costs were incurred by her Department in proceedings related to Dr. Ghosh.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Drug Treatment Programmes

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drug treatment places there are specifically for Khat users; and how many users of Khat are on drug treatment programmes.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not have information on how many drug treatment places there are in England specifically for Khat users, and are not aware of any Khat-specific treatment services.
	Data from the national drug treatment monitoring system show that 141 people in England reported to treatment services with Khat as their main drug of use, and nine persons reported with it as their secondary drug of use, between April 2004 and December 2005.

Ebixa

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people were prescribed Ebixa on the NHS in the last three years for which figures are available; and what the cost to the NHS for Ebixa was in each year;
	(2)  what the cost to the NHS of prescribing drug treatments for people in the moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease was in 200405;
	(3)  how many people with Alzheimer's disease have been treated with anti-cholinesterase drugs since they were licensed in the UK.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold data on the number of people prescribed particular drugs but does hold data on the number of national health service prescriptions dispensed. Therefore, there are no data on the number of people treated with Ebixa. However, prescription cost analysis (PCA) data show the number of prescriptions dispensed in England for Ebixa were:
	
		
			  Prescription items dispensed 
		
		
			 2002 319 
			 2003 7,624 
			 2004 17,726 
		
	
	The British National Formulary (section 4.11) lists three drugs, Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl as potentially suitable for the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, Ebixa is listed for the management of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. The Department does not know what proportion of prescribing for these drugs were for mild, moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease. However, according to the PCA database, the net ingredient cost of drugs for dementia dispensed in the community in England 200405 was 44.7 million, 534.5 thousand items. In addition, Intercontinental Marketing Services estimate that the cost of these drugs dispensed in hospitals in England was 11.9 million in 200405.
	As already mentioned, the Department does not hold data on the number of people prescribed particular drugs but does hold data on the number of NHS prescriptions dispensed. Therefore, there is no data on the number of people prescribed anti-cholinesterase drugs. However, PCA data shows the accumulative costs up to the end of September 2005 for England were:
	
		
			 Drug First prescribed Value ( million) Prescriptions items dispensed 
		
		
			 Aricept 1997 115.3 1,300,000 
			 Reminyl 2000 18.7 242,000 
			 Ebixa 1998 3.5 46,600 
			 Exelon 1998 15.0 217,500

Ebixa

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were prescribed Ebixa on the NHS in West Lancashire in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what the cost to the NHS was in each year.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the requested format. However, the figures from ePACT for Ebixa (memantine) show the following:
	in 2003 no prescriptions;
	in 2004 two prescriptions at a net ingredient cost of 148;
	in 2005 information is not available at present.
	Notes:
	PACT Data
	This information was obtained from the prescribing analysis and cost tool (PACT) system, which covers prescriptions prescribed by general practitioner (GP) practices in England and dispensed in the community in the United Kingdom. For data at primary care trust (PCT) level, prescriptions written by a GP practice located in a particular PCT but dispensed outside that PCT will be included in the PCT in which the GP practice is based. Prescriptions written in England but dispensed outside England are included. Prescriptions written in hospitals /clinics that are dispensed in the community, prescriptions dispensed in hospitals and private prescriptions are not included in PACT data. It is important to note this as some British National Formulary sections have a high proportion of prescriptions written in hospitals that are dispensed in the community.

Elder Abuse

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department are taking to ensure that NHS and social care staff are adequately trained to detect and address elder abuse.

Liam Byrne: For training of health and social care professionals, it is the responsibility of the appropriate regulatory bodies to set standards for the pre-registration training of doctors, nurses, social workers and other healthcare professionals and approve the education institutions that provide the training and determine the curricula.
	Post-registration training needs for national health service staff are determined against local NHS priorities, through appraisal processes and training needs analyses informed by local delivery plans and the needs of the service. The post-qualification framework for social workers has been reviewed by the General Social Care Council and new arrangements for post qualification awards will come into force in September 2007.
	For health and social care workers, national occupational standards set out the skills, knowledge and values required and are used as benchmarks for national vocational qualifications. It is the responsibility of social care service providers and NHS trusts to ensure that their employees are suitably qualified and competent.

Elderly Care Provision

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to introduce a minimum standard for food and nutrition for all nursing and residential homes for the elderly.

Liam Byrne: Food and nutrition is extensively covered in the existing Care Homes for Older PeopleNational Minimum Standards, a copy of which is available in the Library. The national minimum standards, which homes must meet in order to be assessed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection as complying with the Care Homes Regulations 2001, address food and nutrition from various perspectives, such as nutritional content, religious or cultural requirements, preparation and hygiene and the social value of meals and mealtimes.

Employment Checks

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department takes to ensure that all people working with (a) vulnerable adults and (b) the elderly are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau before they are employed;
	(2)  what steps her Department takes to ensure that private companies providing care for (a) the elderly and (b) vulnerable adults adhere to guidelines to ensure that all their employees are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau before commencing employment;
	(3)  what reports she has received of cases of people being employed in the care of elderly and vulnerable people who subsequently were found to have criminal records and to be unsuitable for such employment; and what steps she took following receipt of those reports.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 February 2006
	All care homes, domiciliary care agencies, adult placements schemes and nurses agencies in England are regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which is the independent regulator for social care. The CSCI is responsible for registering and inspecting the regulated social care sector in accordance with statutory regulations and national minimum standards to ensure consistency and improve the quality of life and level of protection for the most vulnerable people in society.
	Regulated social care providers, including private companies, are required to conduct rigorous pre-employment checks on prospective staff including obtaining a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. Since 26 July 2004, there has also been a requirement for prospective employees in these areas to be checked against the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) list before starting work.

European Health Insurance Card

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what stage has been reached in the development of the proposed NHS card referred to in section 2.21 of the NHS Improvement Plan, published on 24 June 2004; whether it is her intention that the NHS card proposed will be placed on the reverse of the European Health Insurance Card; whether she intends the NHS card to take the form of an entitlement card; what discussions she has had with interested parties about the introduction of an NHS card; what the content of these discussions was; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Officials have discussed the potential costs and benefits of the proposed national health service card with a range of interested parties across government, taking account of developments in existing programmes such as the NHS Connecting for Health National Programme for IT and the Home Office-led ID Cards Programme. Officials also considered the links between a possible NHS card and the European Health Insurance Card. There are no current plans to introduce an NHS card, although this will be kept under review.

Financial Management (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire)

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial savings (a) have been implemented since 2001 and (b) are proposed for the future by (i) Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS strategic health authority, (ii) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and (iii) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS primary care trust; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Data on savings that have been implemented by Bedford Hospital Trusts and Bedford Heartlands primary care trust (PCT) area are shown in the table.
	
		
		
			  Bedford Hospital National Health Service Trust Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT 
		
		
			 200102 340,000 410,000 
			 200203 700,000 478,000 
			 200304 800,000 600,000 
			 200405 1,508,000 3,000,000 
			 200506 4,424,000 5,500,000 
		
	
	The Department requires the strategic health authority to deliver its agreed financial plan for 200506.

Financial Management (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire)

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures have been put in place to ensure that the financial performance of (a) Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Strategic Health Authority, (b) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust is adequately monitored; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) to deliver the agreed financial plans for their local health communities and to ensure each and every body achieves key targets including finance.
	There is also a monthly reporting channel in accordance with Department standards and additional monitoring is undertaken by the SHA. This has been reinforced recently with work undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG.

Financial Management (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire)

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures have been put in place to ensure that the financial accounts of (a) Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Strategic Health Authority, (b) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust financial accounts and (c) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust have been regularly audited; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: All national health service bodies are directed to have their accounts audited each year by independent auditors appointed by the Audit Commission under the Audit Commission Act 1998. NHS bodies publish their accounts which must include a report by the auditor as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view of the financial position at the year end and that the income and expenditure has been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament.
	All NHS bodies are required to transmit to the Department audited accounts each year including the auditor's report on the accounts. The accounts and reports are scrutinised by the Department and the National Audit Office.

Financial Management (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire)

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) budget was and (b) total spent from budget was under each financial heading for (i) the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Strategic Health Authority, (ii) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and (iii) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Tables one, two and three detail the budgetary expenditure for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA), Bedford Hospital National Health Service Trust and Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust (PCT).
	
		Table 1: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA -- 000
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Primary healthcare purchased 52,372 0 0 
			 Primary care act pilots healthcare purchased 3,406 0 0 
			 Secondary healthcare purchased 1,400 0 0 
			 Total healthcare expenditure 57,178 0 0 
			 Non-executive members remuneration 55 62 62 
			 Other salaries and wages 2,613 3,632 4,832 
			 Pension costs: pre-1995 early retirements 4,208 0 0 
			 Supplies and servicesclinical 0 0 0 
			 Supplies and servicesgeneral 15 0 0 
			 Establishment expenses 639 497 626 
			 Transport and moveable plant 3 3 2 
			 Premises and fixed plant 2,319 817 1,040 
			 External contractors 740 380 590 
			 Capitaldepreciation 40 37 0 
			 Capitalimpairments 0 1,198 140 
			 Capital charges interest 1,643 118 44 
			 (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets 0 0 0 
			 Auditors remunerationaudit fee 127 172 90 
			 Auditors remunerationother fees 63 0 1 
			 Unwinding of discount on provisions 0 0 0 
			 Interest payable 23 45 0 
			 PCT preparatory costs 0 0 0 
			 Training (workforce development confederations) 55,771 61,964 67,205 
			 Miscellaneous 169 760 924 
			 Total expenditure 125,606 69,685 75,556 
			 Revenue resource limit 66,471 67,713 74,541 
			 Underspend against revenue resource limit 363 1,408 1,976 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Bedford Hospitals NHS Trust -- 000
		
			  200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Services from other NHS trusts 494 486 559 1,524 
			 Services from other NHS bodies 0 4 0 191 
			 Services from foundation trusts 0 0 0 290 
			 Purchase of healthcare from non-NHS bodies 0 0 628 912 
			 Directors costs 364 394 441 616 
			 Staff costs 53,780 58,782 65,256 74,376 
			 Supplies and servicesclinical 10,718 12,336 12,848 14,216 
			 Supplies and servicesgeneral 1,774 1,745 1,872 2,044 
			 Establishment 1,687 1,467 1,605 1,666 
			 Transport 110 101 119 148 
			 Premises 3,455 3,521 4,153 4,061 
			 Bad debts 54 28 13 125 
			 Depreciation and amortisation 2,324 2,410 2,809 3,880 
			 Fixed asset impairments and reversals 0 1,646 0 0 
			 Audit fees 159 185 205 146 
			 Other auditors remuneration 0 0 54 0 
			 Clinical negligence 361 938 1,061 1,851 
			 Pre-95 early retirements 0 0 0 0 
			 Other 2,580 3,917 2,179 958 
			 Total expenditure 77,860 87,960 93,802 107,004 
			 Retained surplus/(deficit) for the year (3,149) 2,741 120 (8,480) 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust -- 000
		
			  200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Goods and services from other PCTs 46,778 58,130 65,145 43,832 
			 Goods and services from other NHS bodies 104,652 74,314 77,624 113,641 
			 Goods and services from foundation trusts 0 0 0 11,051 
			 Purchase of healthcare from non-NHS bodies 0 0 11,907 16,131 
			 Social care from independent providers 0 0 0 0 
			 Expenditure on drugs action teams 0 759 1,160 1,322 
			 Non-general medical service (CMS) services from general practitioners 1,055 870 2,002 0 
			 Personal medical services (PMS) and personal dental services (PDS) pilots 1,669 5,111 12,036 1,653 
			 PCT board members costs 427 201 236 247 
			 PCT executive non-officer members costs 0 165 192 151 
			 Staff costs 10,834 13,523 15,205 17,943 
			 Prescribing costs 24,542 28,020 30,616 32,739 
			 CMS discretionary 4,917 3,592 3,469 0 
			 CMS non-discretionary 0 4,089 9,380 0 
			 G/PMS, alternative providers of medical services and PCT medical services 0 0 0 29,308 
			 Pharmaceutical services 0 419 1,253 916 
			 Local pharmaceutical services pilots 0 0 0 0 
			 General dental services 0 80 183 334 
			 General ophthalmic services 0 505 1,033 1,159 
			 Supplies and servicesclinical 1,354 1,397 2,128 2,597 
			 Supplies and servicesgeneral 717 1,224 316 317 
			 Establishment 1,152 1,360 1,709 1,809 
			 Transport 68 8 8 4 
			 Premises 99 242 820 1,129 
			 Bad debts 0 6 7 0 
			 Depreciation and amortisation 202 253 325 381 
			 Fixed asset impairments and reversals 0 0 0 0 
			 (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets 0 0 1 0 
			 Cost of capital charge (616) (194) (158) (309) 
			 Audit fees 11 105 158 150 
			 Other auditors remuneration 188 0 3 32 
			 Clinical negligence costs 0 64 14 17 
			 NHS trust impairments 0 2,665 0 0 
			 Other finance costsunwinding of discount 0 (23) 14 14 
			 Other 9,876 14,847 918 782 
			 Total expenditure 207,925 211,732 237,704 277,350 
			 Revenue resource limit 152,826 175,146 193,348 222,156 
			 Under/(over)spend against revenue resource limit 250 (526) (3,008) (14,536) 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. SHAs were established in 200203 therefore only three years' data is available. Four years' data has been provided for the NHS trust and for the primary care trust. 200405 is the latest year for which we have audited data.
	2. The Department does not set budgets for NHS bodies. SHAs and PCTs are notified of their revenue resource limit each year and their performance against the resource limit is provided in tables one and three. NHS trusts receive income for the provision of services and the performance measure is the surplus or deficit as shown in table two.
	3. Not all expenditure lines were collected each year. A zero may mean there was no relevant expenditure or that the particular item was not collected.
	4. Revenue resource limits do not include non-discretionary expenditure.
	Source:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the strategic health authority, primary care trust and NHS trust as appropriate.

Financial Management (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire)

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether a financial and management specialist team has previously been sent to (a) the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Strategic Health Authority, (b) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether there are plans for a financial and management specialist team to conduct future discussions with the (a) Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Strategic Health Authority, (b) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  whether the (a) Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Strategic Health Authority, (b) Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust have been subject to (i) a baseline financial assessment exercise and (ii) an assessment of financial management; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The turnaround teams were announced by the Secretary of State in a written ministerial statement on 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 37WS. The teams will comprise of experts with a mix of commercial and national health service turnaround skills.
	The first stage of this is a baseline assessment, the aim of which is to ensure there is an agreed understanding of the local financial problem and that actions are in hand to address this. Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and Bedfordshire Heartlands NHS Primary Care Trust were included in the first phase of this assessment. The director of finance, of the Department, published the results of this assessment in a report on 25 January 2006. Both the organisations were assessed as needing to maintain their focus to achieve financial turnaround.
	Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) were not subject to this baseline assessment. The Department has appointed a turnaround director to work with the SHAs in the East of England to co-ordinate the turnaround initiatives of individual organisations, with the objective of delivering both short-term improvement and a comprehensive turnaround plan.

Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether she has made an assessment of the extent to which the proposed future inclusion of some herbal ingredients within the provisions of the food supplements directive would change decisions on the part of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency on (a) whether a product containing herbal ingredients required registration under the traditional herbal medicinal products directive and (b) licensing such a product as a medicine on the basis of its function;
	(2)  how many recent meetings with industry have been held by officials of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to discuss product classification arising from the provisions of the traditional herbal medicinal products directive; what costs and other compliance burdens for industry have been identified through regulatory impact assessments and other means as arising from identifying with confidence which herbal ingredients (a) may be sold under food law and (b) require (i) medicinal product licences and (ii) traditional use registrations; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  on what date the provisions of the traditional herbal medicinal products directive come into force in the United Kingdom; if she will list herbal ingredients which manufacturers may continue to sell in supplement form under food law beyond that date; and if she will list those herbal ingredients that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency consider likely to be classified as medicines requiring (i) registration and (ii) licensing by virtue of being medicinal by function.

Jane Kennedy: The provisions of Directive 2004/24/EC on traditional herbal medicinal products came into force in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2005. Unlicensed herbal remedies which were legally on the market under Section 12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968 on 30 April 2004 are not required to comply with the directive until 30 April 2011. The decision as to whether a product (rather than an ingredient) falls within the definition of a medicinal product is made on a case by case basis using the definition of that term contained in Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of herbal ingredients which are always medicinal or never medicinal. Directive 2004/24/EC does not affect the classification process.
	To assist manufacturers in determining the likely status of their products the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a list of herbal ingredients and their uses in March 2005. This can be found on the borderline products page of the MHRA's website at www.mhra.gov.uk. Advice and information on the status of a product is available without charge from the medicines borderline section of the MHRA and no costs to industry have been identified on issues relating to product classification. The MHRA has held no recent meetings with industry to discuss difficulties of product classification in relation to Directive 2004/24/EC. However, the MHRA has held around 60 meetings with individual companies to discuss their initial plans for registering products under the directive. In these meetings where companies have expressed any doubt as to the status of their products they have been advised to seek further specific advice from the MHRA borderline section.
	We do not envisage that an extension to the food supplements directive would of itself affect whether products are classified as medicines since that decision is made on the basis of Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC.

Health Funding (Doncaster, North)

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has allocated for (a) hospital services, (b) general practitioner services and (c) dental services in the constituency of Doncaster, North in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the format requested. Funding is allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations. Allocations made to the Doncaster PCTs from 200506 to 200708 are shown in the following table.
	
		PCT allocations --  million
		
			  Doncaster central PCT Doncaster east PCT Doncaster west PCT 
		
		
			 200506 115.8 100.0 123.7 
			 200607 137.0 118.2 146.4 
			 200708 149.8 129.2 160.1

Gender Reassignment Operations

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the NHS was of (a) male to female and (b) female to male gender reassignment operations carried out in (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005; and how many of each type of operation were carried out in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: In 200405, there were 99 combined operations for transformation from male to female and zero combined operations for transformation from female to male. There is no cost data collected centrally for these procedures.

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the optimal number of general practitioners per 100,000 population standardised by weighting.

Liam Byrne: No estimate has been made on the optimal number of general practitioners per 100,000 weighted population. Primary care trusts are responsible for assessing and meeting the primary care needs of their local populations. In doing so they will take into account a variety of factors including the health needs of their communities and the mix and number of professional primary care staff needed to deliver services.

General Practitioners

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many single general practitioner surgeries there are in each local authority area in descending order.

Liam Byrne: Data on the number of single-handed contracted general practitioners by primary care trust (PCT) area have been placed in the Library. This information is not available by local authority areas unless that is coterminous with the PCT area.

General Practitioners

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many single-handed GP practices there are in West Lancashire.

Liam Byrne: There are nine single-handed general practitioners practices in West Lancashire.

General Practitioners

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners are practising in Essex; what the ratio of GPs to patients is in (a) Essex and (b) England; and what the equivalent ratios were for each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Average list size of general medical practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars,for England and Essex Strategic Health Authority 200004 -- Number (headcount)
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 England  
			 All practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars 28,593 28,802 29,202 30,358 31,523 
			 Patients 51,336,812 51,254,833 51,524,894 52,713,780 52,527,737 
			 Average list size 1,795 1,780 1,764 1,736 1,666 
			 of which:  
			 Q03 Essex  
			 All practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars 829 816 803 866 915 
			 Patients 1,648,879 1,641,100 1,646,695 1,690,519 1,674,591 
			 Average list size 1,989 2,011 2,051 1,952 1,830

General Practitioners

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits to general practitioners in England were recorded in the last 12 months; and how this data is collected.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not record the number of visits to general practitioners in England.

General Practitioners

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the provision of night-time services by general practitioners in the London borough of Hillingdon.

Jane Kennedy: Patients in the London borough of Hillingdon who need a general practitioner (GP) when their practice is closed are instructed to telephone their GP and listen carefully to recorded instructions and advice. If for any reasons a GP practice cannot help the patient and the patient cannot wait until the practice is open, the patient is advised to phone Harmony, a local co-operative of GPs covering out of hours services in Hillingdon on 0845 850 1568. For health information or advice, patients are advised to phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 whose services are available 24 hours a day.
	There is a statutory obligation to provide out of hours GP services. GPs do not have to do so as part of their national contract. So out of hours services are contracted by the national health service. Organisations contracted to provide these services are either commercial organisations or co-operatives.

Genetically Modified Organisms

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to enable consumers to exercise choice on whether to consume genetically modified ingredients and products derived from genetically modified organisms.

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency supports informed consumer choice and labelling is a key part of providing information.
	The Genetically Modified (GM) Food and Feed Regulation (1829/2003/EC) provides rules for the labelling of genetically modified (GM) ingredients, and products derived from genetically modified organisms. These labelling provisions allow consumers to choose whether to eat foods containing GM ingredients.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for health what percentage of patients in each primary care trust in England are currently being seen in genito-urinary medicine clinics within the 48 hour target in the last period for which figures are available; what steps she is taking to increase the number being seen within the target; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The report from the most recent survey of genitor-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic waiting times for August 2005 published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed that 48 per cent. of patients were seen within 48 hours. This compares with 38 per cent. of attendees who were seen within 48 hours of first contacting the clinic, in May 2004. This report is freely available on the HPA's website at: www.hpa. org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/epidemiology/August_2005_waiting_times_report.pdf.
	In addition, sexual health and access to genitor-urinary clinics is one of the six top priorities for the NHS in 200607. By 2008 everyone should be offered an appointment within 48 hours of contacting a GUM clinic. Strategic health authorities have all submitted plans to meet this target.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was spent on genitor-urinary medicine clinics by each primary care trust (PCT) in England in each of the last three years; and what the projected budget of each PCT is for these clinics for the next two years;
	(2)  what steps she (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to ensure that the money allocated for genito-urinary medicine modernisation is spent for that purpose by each primary care trust.

Caroline Flint: Primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities (SHAs) will receive funding for implementing the targets in the White Paper Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier in their mainstream allocations and we will be monitoring the outcomes from this investment. A copy of the White Paper is available in the Library. Sexual health is one of the top six priorities for the national health service in 200607. In particular, by 2008 everyone should be offered an appointment within 48 hours of contacting a genitor-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic. This increased priority for sexual health should significantly strengthen the incentive for local investment and service modernisation.
	In addition, a letter has been sent to SHA chief executives highlighting that when considering any savings from implementing Commissioning a patient led NHS' savings should not be identified from those posts working on implementation of Choosing Health. This includes posts in front-line services.
	Data on spend by GUM clinics by individual PCTs are not collected centrally.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase the funding to the genito-urinary medicine clinics in London.

Jane Kennedy: In February 2005, individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including all those that cover London, were notified of their Choosing Health revenue allocation. A separate breakdown for genito-urinary medicine was not given. In 200607, 91.5 million will be allocated to PCTs for sexual health modernisation which includes funding for Chlamydia screening and contraception and abortion services and a further 111.5 million will be allocated in 200708. In addition, a further 15 million for capital was allocated this financial year for sexual health services and a further 25 million capital in 200607 for sexual health will be allocated.

Health and Social Care Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her oral statement of 30 January 2006, Official Report, column 21, on health and social care services, which programmes have been financed by the 2 per cent. of the health care budget devoted to health prevention; and what the total cost of each programme is.

Caroline Flint: The 2 per cent. figure is based on data compiled using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) framework for health accounts as set out in A System of Health Accounts, OECD, 2002, available on-line from the OECD's website at www.oecd.org/document/8/0,2340,en_2649_201185_2742536_l_l_l_l,00.html, which also shows how expenditure for prevention and public health services has been classified.

Health and Social Care Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the members of the citizens' panel who worked with her Department throughout the development of the White Paper on Health and Social Care Services were selected.

Liam Byrne: The citizens' panel was recruited using standard market research methods. The panel is broadly representative of the adult population in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic groups, and made up of people who are high users of health and/or social care services.

Health and Social Care Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the introduction of the single assessment of health and social care needs proposed in the Health and Social Care White Paper will differ from the single assessment process that is already in place.

Liam Byrne: Work to develop a common assessment framework is at an early stage. However, we envisage building on the existing single assessment process for older people to develop an assessment framework that would be applicable to adults more generally.

Health Budget

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the Health Committee by Mr. Richard Douglas of 6 December 2005, HC (200506) 736-i, on public expenditure on health and personal social services, question 292, what the costing is for the 18-week waiting time target.

Liam Byrne: The estimated cost of delivering the 18-week waiting target made at the 2004 Spending Review is shown in the following table. Costs beyond 200708 will form part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.
	
		 million
		
			 Policy initiative 200607 200708 
		
		
			 Reducing waiting times and new models of care 1,000 1,900 
			 Access diagnostics 400 800 
			 Total 1,400 2,700

Health Issues (Wales)

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements she has for regular meetings with the Health Minister in the National Assembly for Wales to discuss health issues and share best practice.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State and the Department are in regular correspondence with the Welsh Assembly. There is no established arrangement for regular meetings between the Secretary of State and the Welsh Health Minister.

Health Reorganisation

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made of the potential savings arising from merging (a) ambulance trusts, (b) strategic health authorities and (c) primary care trusts in East Anglia.

Rosie Winterton: Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have confirmed that they will each make reconfiguration savings in SHAs and primary care trusts (PCTs) to total 250 million nationally to be re-invested in front line services locally.
	Consultations on boundary changes to SHAs and PCTs started on 14 December 2005 and will continue for a period of 14 weeks, until 22 March. No decisions on reconfiguration will be taken until these local consultations have been completed and their outcomes considered by Secretary of State. Until any boundary changes are agreed, it is not possible to calculate the savings for any specific area.
	Savings from the reconfiguration of ambulance services will be re-invested in the ambulance services locally and are additional to the national 250 million target.

Health Reorganisation

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that no jobs are lost at the headquarters of the Morecambe Bay primary care trust as a result of the proposed reorganisation.

Liam Byrne: The implications for staff will become clearer once the current consultation has closed on 22 March. Only then will final decisions on configuration be taken.
	Once the consultations have been concluded local organisations will have a clearer idea of the implications for staff, and will begin consultations with trade unions.
	A human resource framework has been developed to support staff through these changes.

Health Service Finance

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge strategic health authority on the effect of the formula governing revenue allocations on primary care trusts in Suffolk.

Rosie Winterton: According to the Department's records, there have been no representations from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge strategic health authority on the weighted-capitation formula used to determine each primary care trust's target share of available resources.

Health Suppliers

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) her Department, (b) Connecting for Health and (c) other NHS bodies have unfulfilled contractual minimum volume order obligations to local service providers.

Liam Byrne: The contracted minimum commitments to local service providers under the national programme for information technology in the national health service are expressed in terms of revenues rather than volumes. The minimum revenue commitments are spread across the 10-year term of the contracts, and, in the third year of a 10-year programme, have inevitably not yet been met.

Health White Paper

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to initiate the review of the funding arrangements for NHS walk-in centres described in paragraph 3.34, of the White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say.

Liam Byrne: A review of national health service walk-in centre funding arrangements has already been started.

Health White Paper

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with what frequency she expects directors of public health and directors of adult social services to undertake joint reviews of the health and well-being status and needs of their populations as described in paragraph 2.60 of the White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say.

Liam Byrne: Issues relating to joint reviews of the health and well-being status and needs of the population which will be undertaken by directors of public health and directors of adult social services, are being considered and will be addressed in further guidance to be issued during 2006.

Health White Paper

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she plans to redefine and strengthen the role of directors of public health as proposed in paragraph 2.58 of the White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, how she expects the total number of directors of public health to change following the current process of reorganising primary care trusts; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The redefinition of the director of public health role refers to the greater emphasis on close working with local authorities (LAs) and to the expectation of an increase in joint appointments of directors of public health, between primary care trusts (PCTs) and LAs.
	The role of the director of public health will be strengthened by a responsibility to bring public health resources to bear across the public sector to promote health and wellbeing for the whole community, ensuring a clear and strong focus on tackling health in-equalities. Directors of public health will be required to provide reports directly to local authority overview and scrutiny committees on wellbeing, which will strengthen the director of public health role with the LA. In addition, the director of public health will work closely with the new director of adult social services and they will, working with directors of children's services, undertake regular joint reviews of the health and wellbeing status and needs of their populations.
	Guidance on Commissioning a Patient-led NHS issued by the Department of Health on 28 July 2005, clarifies that the changes in PCT functions may or may not involve mergers and reconfiguration. Where they involve mergers, with a consequent reduction in the numbers of PCTs, this will also result in a reduction in the numbers of directors of public health.

Health White Paper

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to introduce a social marketing strategy as described in paragraph 2.39, of the White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, what she plans to include in the strategy; what discussions she has had with relevant parties regarding its introduction; when these discussions took place; what resources she plans to commit from central budgets to support the strategy; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Choosing Health White Paper included a commitment to undertake an independent national social marketing review. This review, which began in April 2005, has been undertaken by the National Consumer Council on the Department's behalf and is on track to deliver its recommendations for spring 2006. The review has included contributions arising from discussions with other government departments and other key stakeholders such as non-Governmental organisations and business. The report will make recommendations on how to deliver effective interventions and what level of resource will be required to achieve key Departmental and Government targets.
	A social marketing development unit within health improvement directorate was set up in October 2005 to lead the systematic application of marketing concepts and techniques to achieve behavioural health goals across the Department. A review of current work practice has been completed which recommends the need for an explicit prioritisation of effort and budgets across the key public health priority areas and the first meeting of a cross Departmental group is planned for early in 2006.

Health White Paper

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to launch a national campaign to increase awareness and understanding of direct payments as described in paragraph 4.28 of the White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, what resources she plans to commit in support of the campaign; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: We have made a firm commitment to run a campaign on direct payments and are currently considering options for doing so. We will make a further announcement in due course.

Healthcare Commission

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases over six months old are awaiting determination by the Healthcare Commission; what percentage this represents of the total number of cases received by the Healthcare Commission; whether the Healthcare Commission has a target timescale for resolving cases; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Healthcare Commission took on responsibility for the independent review stage of complaints about the national health service at the end of July 2004. The chairman of the Healthcare Commission has confirmed that between then and the end of January 2006, the Healthcare Commission received 11,935 requests for independent review. This compares with around 3,000 cases a year under the previous NHS system. By the end of January, the Healthcare Commission had closed 6,940 of the cases it had received. Of the remaining 4,995 cases, 2,058 were over six months old. This represented approximately 17 per cent., of the total number of cases received.
	The Healthcare Commission originally intended to resolve cases within six months. From 1 April 2006, it will aim to resolve 65 per cent., of its cases within eight weeks of receipt and 95 per cent. within a year. The chairman of the Healthcare Commission has said that the new targets better reflect the complexity of the cases for independent review.

Herceptin

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the extent to which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on the use of Herceptin to treat metastatic breast cancer has been implemented across the NHS in England.

Rosie Winterton: In June 2004, the National Cancer Director published a report on variations in usage of cancer drugs approved by the then National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
	This report showed considerable variation in usage of drugs, including Herceptin, between cancer networks and sets out a number of recommendations to address this. One of the recommendations was to ensure that action plans were developed to respond to the report findings.
	The action plans were encouraging, confirming that the profile of implementing NICE appraisals has increased and that where problems have been identified they have been, or are in the process of being, addressed.
	An update of Professor Richard's report will be published later this year to confirm if variations have been reduced as a result of these actions.

Heroin

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been treated for (a) heroin addiction and (b) heroin-related illnesses in each of the last five years, broken down by age.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 14 February 2006
	We do not have information on how many children have been treated for heroin addiction or heroin-related illnesses for each of the last five years.
	The number of young people, under 18 at mid-point in the financial year, who received treatment with heroin as their main drug of use is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Date Number 
		
		
			 200304 1,129 
			 200405 1,171 
			 April 2005-December 2005(113) 1,025 
		
	
	(113) Nine-month figure

Hillingdon Health Care

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the additional costs falling upon (a) Hillingdon Primary Care Trust and (b) Hillingdon Hospital Trust from Heathrow Airport.

Jane Kennedy: Hillingdon Primary Care Trust (PCT) receives 800,000 of revenue funding each year to take account of the additional costs of people passing through Heathrow who use services commissioned by Hillingdon PCT for local residents. PCTs commission services from national health service trusts and it is for Hillingdon PCT to determine how the funding is allocated locally.

HIV/AIDS

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has allocated to fund research on HIV preventative technologies in each year since 1997; how this research has been co-ordinated; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology.
	The Department has since 1986 supported a research programme on sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The annual amount contributed since 1997 is shown in the table. The programme is managed on its behalf by the MRC, with advice from the sexual health and HIV research strategy committee 1 . In this way, the MRC is able to co-ordinate the work of the programme with its broader portfolio of national and international research on sexual health and HIV.
	The committee identifies research needs and priorities, stimulates new research, and advises on the value and relevance to the programme of proposals submitted to it for funding. Studies on prevention have been a focus of the programme. Currently, around three-quarters of the studies funded are concerned with HIV prevention technologies in their broadest sense, ranging from safer sex interventions for high risk groups, through cohort studies to follow-up children exposed to antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy, to uses of the internet to develop behaviour change interventions.
	
		
			  Amount ( million) 
		
		
			 1997 1 
			 1998 1 
			 1999 1 
			 2000 1.3 
			 2001 0.8 
			 2002 1 
			 2003 1 
			 2004 1 
			 2005 1 
		
	
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual projects, including a number concerned with prevention of HIV, can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.
	1 This committee was established in 2002 when it replaced the Committee for the epidemiological study of AIDS.

HIV/AIDS

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 24 November 2004, Official Report, column 2280W, on HIV/AIDS, for what reasons the funding was not increased between 200102 and 200506 in line with inflation; whether her Department plans to continue this funding; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The AIDS support grant, one of a number of personal social services (PSS) grants, provides a contribution to local authority overall social care packages for people living with HIV/AIDS. Although the grant itself did not increase from 200102 to 200506, the overall level of PSS resources available to councils increased by 46.5 per cent. in this period.
	The Department is responsible for establishing overall policy in respect of social care, leaving councils with a significant degree of flexibility in delivering their adults' social care commitments according to local priorities and the needs of the communities they represent. Local authorities are encouraged to access all PSS grants appropriate to enhancing the delivery of HIV/AIDS social care.
	An allocation of 16.5 million for both 200607 and 200708 was announced in the local authority social services letter in December 2005.

Hospices

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospices in England receive funding from the national health service.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not collected centrally on which hospices receive funding from primary care trusts (PCTs), or the amount they receive. In England, it is for individual hospices to negotiate funding with their PCT.
	Matters relating to Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly.

Hospital Building

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have been built in England in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The table shows the number of major hospital capital schemes constructed and become operational since January 1997 with capital values of over 25 million. Detailed information is not held centrally for schemes with a capital value below this figure.
	
		
			  Number of hospital schemes 
		
		
			 1997 5 
			 1998 4 
			 1999 0 
			 2000 3 
			 2001 6 
			 2002 9 
			 2003 9 
			 2004 3 
			 2005 7

Hospital Deficits

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all hospitals facing a deficit in this financial year, broken down by constituency; and what each hospital's month nine forecast is of the size of the deficit.

Jane Kennedy: The latest data for which financial information for national health service organisations is available is the forecast outturn position for 200506, as submitted by NHS organisations at the mid-year point (month six). This information has been placed in the Library.

Hospital Staff

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to ensure hospitals have enough trained staff to operate specialist medical equipment in NHS hospitals; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether her Department has made an estimate of the cost to the NHS of machines that cannot be used to their full capacity because of staff shortages.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not collect the information requested centrally. In September 2004, over 1.3 million people were employed in the national health service, an increase of over 272,000 or 26 per cent. since 1997. It is for primary care trusts in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to plan, develop and improve services for local people and to ensure the efficient use of equipment and services.

ICAS Contract (West Midlands)

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the ICAS contract for the West Midlands will be announced; and if she will write to the Citizens Advice Bureau informing them of this date.

Liam Byrne: The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) contract for the West Midlands has been awarded and Citizens Advice were advised of the new incoming service provider on 24 January 2006. The new provider is POhWER, which has been providing ICAS under contract to the Department since 1 September 2003, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in general and specialist advocacy service delivery.

Identity Cards

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department concerning the use of identity cards as NHS entitlement cards.

Rosie Winterton: The Secretary of State meets the Home Secretary regularly to discuss matters of common interest, including the potential use of identification cards within the national health service.

Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to award the contract for the Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service in the (a) West Midlands, (b) south west, (c) north west and (d) north east of England.

Liam Byrne: The Department has recently awarded contracts to three organisations which will deliver a new and improved independent complaints advocacy service (ICAS) from 1 April 2006 across England.
	The contracts that have been awarded for each Government region is shown in the table:
	
		
			 Region Provider 
		
		
			 East of England POhWER 
			 East Midlands The Carers Federation 
			 London POhWER 
			 North East The Carers Federation 
			 North West The Carers Federation 
			 South East SEAP 
			 South West SEAP 
			 West Midlands POhWER 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber The Carers Federation 
		
	
	All of these providers have been delivering ICAS under contract to the Department since 1 September 2003, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in general and specialist advocacy service delivery.

Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements her Department has made to ensure that (a) patients in the (i) West Midlands, (ii) South West, (iii) the North West and (iv) the North East of England will have access to an independent complaints and advocacy service when the contract with the citizens advice bureau finishes and (b) that there will be a smooth transfer from the current provider to the new provision.

Liam Byrne: The Department has recently awarded contracts to three organisations which will deliver a new and improved independent complaints advocacy service (ICAS) from 1 April 2006 across England.
	Contracts have been awarded for each Government region, which is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Region Provider 
		
		
			 North East The Carers Federation 
			 North West The Carers Federation 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside The Carers Federation 
			 East Midlands The Carers Federation 
			 East of England POhWER 
			 London POhWER 
			 West Midlands POhWER 
			 South East SEAP 
			 South West SEAP 
		
	
	All of these providers have been delivering ICAS under contract to the Department since 1 September 2003, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in general and specialist advocacy service delivery.
	All providers, including Citizens Advice, are working together in order to ensure a smooth transition for clients; their aim is to provide as seamless a transition process as possible. Detailed transition plans have been drawn up, the implementation of which will be monitored by the Department. In addition, a departmental ICAS transition co-ordinator will work with all providers over the next six months to support the transition and initial set-up phase.

Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason each new contract for complaints and advocacy services was not awarded to the existing provider.

Liam Byrne: The Department conducted a rigorous procurement exercise in which organisations were required to submit bids against a detailed specification that set out our requirements. The successful organisations submitted bids which more closely matched the Department's requirements and offered the best value for money.
	All successful contractors have been delivering independent complaints advocacy service under contract to the Department since 1 September 2003, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in general and specialist advocacy service delivery.

Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the impact on accessibility for patients to complaints and advocacy services of the reduced number of centres.

Liam Byrne: The new independent complaints advocacy service (ICAS) will be much more locally accessible to clients. In addition to approximately 30 ICAS centres, all of which will for the first time be fully accessible for clients with disabilities, ICAS advocates will be regularly running outreach activities and arranging ICAS surgeries in local venues such as community centres. Clients with complex needs will be able to access the supported advocacy model, which allows for the delivery of the service to clients in their own home if necessary.

Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements her Department has made to ensure that (a) patients in Tamworth will have access to an independent complaints and advocacy service when the current contract with the citizens advice bureau finishes and (b) that there will be a smooth transfer from the current provider to the new provision.

Liam Byrne: The Department has recently awarded contracts to three organisations who will deliver a new and improved independent complaints advocacy service (ICAS) from 1 April 2006 across England.
	Contracts have been awarded for each Government region. The new provider for the West Midlands region is POhWER which has been delivering ICAS under contract to the Department since 1 September 2003, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in general and specialist advocacy service delivery.
	All providers, including citizens advice, are working together in order to ensure a smooth transition for clients; their aim is to provide as seamless a transition process as possible. Detailed transition plans have been drawn up, the implementation of which will be monitored by the Department. In addition, the Department's ICAS transition co-ordinator work with all providers over the next six months to support the transition and initial set up phase.

Independent Treatment Centres

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many independent sector treatment centres have not fulfilled their quotas of treatments in the last three years.

Liam Byrne: Contract performance is measured on value rather than activity to allow for variations which can occur through substitution of different procedures.

Influenza Pandemic

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current stockpile is of antiviral drugs for use in the event of an influenza pandemic; and whether she plans to stockpile the antiviral drug Relenza.

Rosie Winterton: We have ordered 14.6 million antiviral treatment courses which is enough to treat the 25 per cent. of the population who may become ill with pandemic influenza. We currently have a stockpile of 3.3 million antiviral treatment courses.
	We are regularly reviewing our antiviral strategy, based on expert advice, and will keep any relevant products under consideration.

Influenza Pandemic

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current size of the Tamiflu stockpile is; whether she plans to supplement this stockpile with alternative antivirals; when she plans to issue guidance on the prophylactic use of antivirals in the event of an influenza pandemic; what arrangements she has made for distributing the stockpile of antivirals in the event of an influenza pandemic; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Our stockpile currently stands at 4.9 million treatment courses of Tamiflu, and will be complete by September 2006. We will continue to review our antiviral strategy, including the purchase of other antivirals, and alter our approach if recommended by expert opinions.
	The stockpile of Tamiflu is intended for the 25 per cent., of the population who may become ill with pandemic flu. It is not intended for prophylaxis, but we have not ruled out using antivirals for post-exposure prophylaxis in the very early stages of a pandemic in the United Kingdom. Use of antivirals for prophylaxis would reduce the number of people who could be treated. There is also the possibility that extensive use of antivirals for prophylaxis could encourage development of a pandemic virus with antiviral resistance. This again is under continuous review. Should the policy change in favour of prophylaxis, we would issue appropriate guidance.
	We have produced a framework for the storage and distribution of antivirals to support the development of local plans by the national health service to make those medicines available for the treatment of patients. The overall aim is to ensure that antiviral medicines are available to treat patients suffering from influenza within 48-hours of the onset of symptoms.

Information Technology

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of general practitioners use the national programme for IT in the NHS; and what the target is for usage by the end of (a) 2006 and (b) 2007.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 February 2006
	Every general practitioner (GP) practice in England already uses one or more of the systems and services being delivered through the national programme for information technology (NPfTT). The rapidly accelerating pace of deployments in recent months means that:
	The project to provide IT systems to support the quality and outcomes frameworkthe quality management and analysis system (QMAS)was implemented as early as 2005. 100 percent, of GP practices use QMAS and receive their payments through this system.
	Across the national health service, there are now more than 180,000 registered users of the NHS care records servicethe core element of the programmeincluding 30,000 GPs. Around 300,000400,000 users will be registered by the end of 2006.
	By the end of January, over 10,000 GP practice sites had been connected to the new fast and reliable broadband network. At the present rate of connections, 100 percent, of GP practices should be connected by the end of 2006.
	As at 6 February, over 7,000 practices had the technical capacity to access choose and book and over 3,000 were already live on the system. Roll out will accelerate through 200607 so that 90 percent., of all GP referrals will be through choose and book by March 2007.
	The electronic prescription service (EPS) is now in use at over 150 GP practices and a further 500 practices have had their system software upgraded to comply with the requirement of the system. The target is for full implementation of the prescription service by 2007.
	All this represents commendable progress towards achievement of our plans for full integration of health and social care information systems in England by 2010.

Institutional Care

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate the Government have made of the total weekly costs of full-time institutional care.

Liam Byrne: Information is not collected in the requested format. Copies of the statistical bulletin, Personal Social Services expenditure and unit costs: England: 200405, which provides a summary has been placed in the Library.

Intensive Care

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2006, Official Report, column 1670W, on intensive care, what information is held by the National Intensive Care Bed Information Service on whether Burnley general hospital has facilities to support general intensive and high dependency care; and whether the hospital can provide specialist critical care to treat (a) serious burn injuries, (b) neurological conditions, (c) serious head injuries, (d) adverse reactions to drugs and poisons, (e) renal failure, (f) liver failure and (g) spinal injuries.

Liam Byrne: Burnley general hospital is recorded within the national intensive care bed register as supporting the following at intensive and high dependency care:
	Adult general.
	Head injuries.
	Poisons (serious drug incidentsadverse drug reactions are normally part of general intensive care).
	Renal haemofiltration.
	Respiratory care.
	Vascular care.

Learning Disability Services.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the pension rights will be of staff in the Leicestershire Partnership Learning Disability Service if the proposed integration of their service with the local authority occurs and they are transferred from the NHS to the local authority;
	(2)  what consultations her Department is undertaking regarding the proposed integration of Leicestershire Partnership's Learning Disability Service and the local authority.

Liam Byrne: Two complementary formal consultations on the proposed service models for the integrated learning disability service and its human resources implications took place between 26 August 2005 and 1 December 2005. The two consultations concerned the proposals for integrated services in Leicester city council and Leicestershire and Rutland county council. The consultations were jointly planned and carried out by the Leicester city council, Leicestershire and Rutland county councils, Leicestershire Partnership national health service trust and Melton, Rutland and Harborough primary care trust.

Lupus

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the NHS has to publicise and raise awareness of Lupus in 2006.

Liam Byrne: The NHS Direct web site contains specific information on lupus. The musculoskeletal framework, a best practice guide to supporting people with musculoskeletal conditions, will be published later this year. This will do much to raise awareness among health professionals and the general public for all musculoskeletal conditions, including lupus.

Macmillan Nurses

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Macmillan nurses are working within the NHS in London.

Jane Kennedy: This information requested is not held by the Department.
	It is for trusts to decide how many nurses including palliative care nurse specialists, are employed in each specialty within hospitals. It is for local cancer networks working in partnership with primary care trusts, strategic health authorities and their work force development directorates to assess, plan and review their work force needs for all staff linked to the delivery of local and national priorities for cancer.

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times for general practitioner referrals to the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital were (a) at the latest date for which figures are available and (b) in 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the requested format. However, information relating to out-patient waiting times at the Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals National Health Service Trust is shown in the table.
	
		Estimated average waiting time for first out-patient appointment following general practitioner written referral request, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust
		
			Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first Out-patient attendance (weeks) 
			 Quarter ended Code Specialty name 0 to4 4 to 13 13 to 17 17 to 21 21 plus Median wait (weeks) 
		
		
			 September 2005 130 Ophthalmology 392 1,653 344 1 0 8.4 
			 September 2005 999 All specialties 4,232 10,906 1,148 1 0 7.2 
		
	
	
		Sum of data for Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust and Manchester Children's Hospitals NHS Trust
		
			Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks) 
			 Quarter ended Code Specialty name 0 to4 4 to 13 13 to 26 26 plus Median wait (weeks) 
		
		
			 March 1997 130 Ophthalmology 909 1,311 572 23 7.4 
			 March 1997 999 All specialties 6,650 7,209 2,572 515 6.3 
			 September 1997 130 Ophthalmology 851 1,558 641 58 8.1 
			 September 1997 999 All specialties 4,798 7,602 2,932 507 7.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust (RBU) and Manchester Children's Hospitals NHS Trust (RQ7) merged in April 2001 to form Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust (RW3)
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for tertiary referrals at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Married Couples (Care Homes)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many married couples are being cared for in separate state-run care homes in England.

Liam Byrne: I understand from the Chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, which collects data on the number of registered care homes and places, that information about occupancy levels or residents, including their marital status, is not collected centrally.

Meals on Wheels

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on (a) the role of Meals on Wheels in providing elderly people with a warm meal and (b) the work of the volunteers who check up on the general welfare of the recipients of the meal;
	(2)  if her Department will provide support to voluntary organisations who provide Meals on Wheels in Lancashire following withdrawal of the subsidy from Lancashire county council for the provision of this service;
	(3)  if she will list the local authorities which provide subsidy for a meals on wheels service;
	(4)  if she will make a statement on the effects of the meals on wheels service provided by local authorities;
	(5)  what support and assistance is available to local authorities from her Department for the subsidy of meals on wheels services;
	(6)  what percentage of rate support grant Lancashire county council has allocated to its meals on wheels service in 200506.

Liam Byrne: Councils are responsible for commissioning social care services for their communities, which may include Meals on Wheels, according to local need. Councils are free to decide an appropriate mix of services to meet the needs of their populations.
	The Department recognises the contribution made by the work of volunteers to the provision of the meals on wheels service, which can be valuable in providing a hot meal to older people in their homes. However, decisions about whether to fund voluntary organisations to provide council run services are a local matter.
	The Government allocates revenue support funding to councils to cover a variety of needs, including social services spending. This funding is not hypothecated and councils are free to spend it in the way they consider best meets local needs. Information is not collected centrally about subsidies provided by local authorities.
	It is for councils to ensure that effective arrangements are in place to meet the needs of local people.

Medicine Use Reviews

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many medicine use reviews have been conducted in each month since November 2005; and how many such reviews her Department estimated would be carried out in the (a) first six months and (b) first year of the new community pharmacy framework;
	(2)  how many pharmacy contractors there are in England.

Jane Kennedy: The number of medicine use reviews (MURs) undertaken in November 2005 is confirmed at 13,476. Figures for months since November are not yet available.
	In the interests of good financial management of the 39 million allocated for MURs, in the first year of the new community pharmacy contractual framework, a maximum was set equivalent to 80 per cent. of community pharmacies each undertaking 200 MURs. No estimate was made of the number of MURs that would be carried out in the first six months. However, it was agreed to keep provision under review. As a result, for those pharmacy contractors who met the requirements before 1 January 2006, the maximum number of MURs undertaken by each community pharmacy was increased from 200 to 250 for 200506. Funding for 200607, including for MURs, is currently under discussion.
	There were 9,742 community pharmacies in England providing national health service pharmaceutical services at 31 March 2005.

Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding the proposal by the Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency to increase application and licensing fees.

Jane Kennedy: The Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a Public Consultation Exercise (MLX 322) on the MHRA's regulatory fees proposals for 1 April 2006. That consultation exercise began on 28 November 2005 and ended on 3 February 2006. Consultation letters were issued to some 3200 companies, individuals and industry associations and licence and marketing authorisation holders who were likely to be affected by the proposals or interested in them. The consultation document was also placed on the MHRA website. By the close of the consultation, 66 responses had been received, although a number have come in after the closing date, and they will also be taken into account. We are now analysing the responses, and will be taking into account all responses received before making a decision on final level of fees.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken towards (a) developing, implementing and reinforcing comprehensive mental health policies as outlined in the 12 areas for action set out in the World Health Organisation's Mental Health action plan for Europe and (b) engaging non-governmental organisations and service users in this work.

Rosie Winterton: Work is being taken forward in many ways to develop mental health policies and services that are consistent with the World Health Organisation action plan, including:
	the five-year Shift programme challenging the discrimination and stigma that can affect people with mental health problems;
	the national social inclusion programme, taking forward implementation of the June 2004 social exclusion unit action plan for better access to employment and social, educational and community activity for people with mental health problems;
	the recruitment of over 600 graduate workers to help general practitioners manage mental health problems in primary care settings;
	a reduction in the suicide rate to its lowest recorded level;
	over 340 new crisis resolution teams to give intensive support at home to people suffering a crisis in their mental health;
	increases since 1997 of 50 per cent. in the number of general psychiatric consultants and 21 per cent. in the number of psychiatric nurses; and
	an increase since 1999 of over 26 per cent. in total spending on mental health services.
	Service users and non-governmental organisations are involved in shaping policy and guiding its implementation. For example, the Shift programme has an advisory board that includes 14 people with direct experience of mental health problems, and the national social exclusion programme is supported by an affiliates network of over 50 organisations.

Mental Health

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Department's plans are for the distribution of the document Everybody's business service guide for older people's mental health services.

Liam Byrne: The document, Everybody's business is available on the Care Services Improvement Partnerships website at www.olderpeoplesmentalhealth.csip.org.uk/Downloaddocuments
	In addition, the Department is currently running a series of regional events to promote the service development guide, Everybody's Business, and support its uptake into professional practice.

Mental Health

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what qualifications are necessary to work in the NHS as (a) a psychotherapist, (b) a cognitive behavioural therapist and (c) other types of therapist.

Liam Byrne: There is no single qualification entitling a person to work as psychotherapist, cognitive behavioural therapist or mental health therapist in the national health service. Training is usually outside of the NHS through organisations affiliated to the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy or the British Confederation of Psychotherapists. It is for NHS employers to satisfy themselves that any psychotherapists they employ are appropriately qualified.

Ministerial Travel/Visits

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions since 7 July she has used the London Underground in connection with her official duties.

Liam Byrne: Since the 7 July 2005, the Secretary of State has not used the London Underground in connection with her official duties.

Ministerial Travel/Visits

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals she has visited in each month since May 2005.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State has visited the following national health service hospitals since May 2005:
	May:
	Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridge.
	Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Norfolk.
	Kelling Hospital in Norfolk.
	Ipswich Hospital.
	June:
	Pontefract District and Dewsbury Hospitals in West Yorkshire.
	July:
	The Homerton Hospital in Hackney.
	St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
	October:
	The Royal Free in London.
	Highgate Mental Health Trust.
	December:
	The Homerton Hospital in Hackney.

MMR Vaccination

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in (a) Southend, (b) Essex and (c) Hertfordshire have been given (i) the single MMR vaccine and (ii) the three separate vaccines in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information relating to the number of children who have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and separate vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella is not collected in the format requested.
	The table shows the percentage of children immunised against MMR by their second birthday in Southend, Essex and Hertfordshire.
	
		Percentage
		
			  Southend Essex Hertfordshire 
		
		
			 200001 n/a 89 90 
			 200102 n/a 85 84 
			 200203 79 81 83 
			 200304 73 77 79 
			 200405 74 78 81 
		
	
	n/a = not available
	Source:
	COVERdata collection system (regulated by Department of Health)

Mobile Telephone Masts

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies her Department has carried out into the health effects of mobile telephone masts since March 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Measurements near mobile phone base stations (masts) have shown that radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field exposures are very much lower than the international guidelines (www.ofcom.org.uk and www.hpa.org.uk/radiation). Nevertheless, in response to recommendations for continuing research, the mobile telecommunications and health research (MTHR) programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, has supported a number of studies investigating the potential health effects of mobile phone technology below the guideline levels.
	Individual studies under the MTHR programme relating directly to base stations include a study of cancer incidence in early childhood near mobile phone base stations being carried out at Imperial College London and a study of hypersensitivity symptoms associated with RF electromagnetic field exposure being carried out at the University of Essex. A description of all the individual studies in the MTHR programme is available on its website www.mthr.org.uk.
	Worldwide research on the potential health effects from mobile phone technology is evaluated periodically by the Health Protection Agency's radiation protection division. The report entitled Mobile Phones and Health 2004, available on the HPA's website at www.hpa.org.uk/radiation, noted that there are continuing concerns about the impact of base stations on health and well-being
	despite the current evidence which shows that exposures of individuals are likely to be only a small fraction of those from phones.

MRSA

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of MRSA there have been in each hospital in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the suggested format. However, the best available information on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections is from the mandatory surveillance scheme on health care associated infections, which started in April 2001.
	The latest annual figures for national health service hospital trusts in the Lancashire area are shown in the table.
	
		
			 NHS trust April 2001 to March 2002 April 2002 to March 2003 April 2003 to March 2004 April 2004 to March 2005 
		
		
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 57 66 63 69 
			 Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust 44 40 64 62 
			 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 76 58 56 74 
			 Morecambe Bay Hospital NHS Trust 33 24 30 30

MRSA

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have (a) successfully claimed and (b) attempted to claim compensation for contracting MRSA in each of the Lancashire hospitals in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not available in the required format. However, national data are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Notification year(114) (A) Number of successful claims made, that is damages paid (B) Number of attempted claims made 
		
		
			 200001 11 19 
			 200102 21 50 
			 200203 33 91 
			 200304 30 104 
			 200405 16 109 
		
	
	(114) Claims are recorded on the NHS Litigation Authority's database in financial years (April/March), rather than calendar years.
	Column (A) shows the number of successful claims and column (B), shows the total number of attempted claims. It is not possible however, to provide a breakdown of the data into the question's categories (i) and (ii)as centrally held data do not differentiate between a patient and a member of their family claiming for negligence.
	The figures provided are in respect of all claims where Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is stated as an element of the claim, it could be a cause or an injury. The contraction of the MRSA could be a non-negligent consequence of the negligent act.
	Centrally collected data do not allow us to provide specific figures in respect of the allegation that it was negligent to acquire MRSA i.e. there was a breach of infection/hygiene control policies.
	The number of claims are shown by notification year, that is the financial year in which the trust was first notified that a claim was going to be made. Because the notification date can be up to three years after the incident, the table above is subject to updates that might place additional claims in certain years.

MRSA

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what incidence of MRSA has been recorded in Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust since April 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The incidence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for Essex Rivers Healthcare National Health Service Trust between April and September 2005, was 13 MRSA bacteraemia reports, a rate of 0.12 per 1,000 bed days 1 .
	Further information is available on the Department's website: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/40/15/04114015.pdf.
	1 The rate per 1,000 bed days is provisional, as final activity data are not yet available.

MRSA

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many MRSA cases have occurred in (a) the constituency of Ruislip-Northwood and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold this information in the format requested. However, a table showing the number of reported methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus cases by national health service trusts for the years 2001 to 2005 is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/ll/40/15/04114015.pdf.

Multiple Technology Process

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the review of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's multiple technology process will take place.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE'S) approach to appraising multiple technologies is set out in its Guide to the Technology Appraisal Process, published April 2004. This document is available on NICE'S website for transparency at: www.nice.org.uk/pdf/TAP.pdf.
	NICE consults formally with stakeholder organisations including those representing patients and carers, healthcare professionals and manufacturers approximately every three years before issuing an updated version, and NICE expects to review the multiple technology appraisal process in 2007. NICE recently consulted on its new single technology appraisal process, and will also consider whether it is appropriate to consult on any amendments to the multiple technology appraisal process in light of the responses received to consultation on the single technology appraisal process.

National IT Programme

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the full lifecycle business case estimate is of the total cost of the national programme for IT, including the cost of local implementation.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 February 2006
	The value of contracts let for the original four core components of the programme amounts to 6.2 billion over ten years. Costs arising from investment by national health service organisations in local systems and hardware, training, and ensuring compliance of local systems with programme-delivered systems will be met from reprioritising existing baseline spending on information technology and savings accrued from national purchasing agreements. These, and the cost of central expenditure on centrally-managed projects and services connected with the programme and on running NHS connecting for health, are dependent on the outcome of future spending reviews. Ongoing costs of maintaining and upgrading the assets delivered through the national programme will continue to accrue thereafter.

Neuroblastoma

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to increase awareness of neuroblastoma;
	(2)  what treatments for neuroblastoma are available on the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is not currently undertaking any specifics steps to raise awareness of neuroblastoma, which is most commonly found in very young children.
	However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancers in June 2005 to help primary care health professionals to identify those patients who are most likely to have cancer and who require urgent assessment by a specialist. This guideline includes a section on cancers in children and young people including neuroblastoma.
	In addition, the NICE guidance Improving Outcomes in Children and Young People with Cancer published in 2005 also makes reference to neuroblastoma and the availability of practice guidelines for treating this cancer. The National Cancer Director has established a group of major stakeholders to advise on, and facilitate the implementation of this guidance.
	The type of treatment given for neuroblastoma depends on the age of the child, the size and position of the tumour and how far it has spread. It might include surgery, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants or radiotherapy.

NHS Access (Foreign Visitors)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the system for regulating foreign visitors' access to NHS treatment; for what reason there is no obligation for foreign patients to produce documentary evidence of entitlement to free care before receiving emergency NHS treatment; and whether she plans to change this system.

Rosie Winterton: Anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom is subject to the provisions of the national health service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended.
	These regulations, place a legal obligation on national health service trusts to establish the residency status of patients and to levy charges for any treatment provided if they are found to be a chargeable overseas visitor.
	However, the NHS is fundamentally a humanitarian service, and no one in need of emergency hospital treatment will ever be turned away just because they may be required to pay. Guidance on implementation of the hospital charging regime makes clear that treatment considered by a clinician to be immediately necessary should always be provided, with issues around the patient's chargeable status resolved later.

NHS Direct

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls NHS Direct received in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

Liam Byrne: The number of calls answered by NHS Direct in 2003; 2004; and 2005 are shown in the following table.
	
		Thousand
		
			 Calendar year Calls answered 
		
		
			 2003 6,420 
			 2004 6,480 
			 2005 6,805

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her statement of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 843, on NHS finance, what evidence was used to support her statement that the Government are undertaking the largest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS.

Jane Kennedy: The first major hospital building programme in the national health service resulted from the 1962 Hospital Plan for England and Wales launched by Mr. Enoch Powell, the then Minister of Health. This advocated the network of large district general hospitals and the commitment to 90 new and 134 substantially modernised hospitals. The budget for this 10-year plan was set at just over 500 million, equivalent to about 4.7 billion in today's prices. Detailed records on the precise cost and milestone dates for each scheme are not immediately available centrally for schemes before 1980. The actual implementation ran into well documented difficulties resulting from an underestimation of the capital and revenue costs of this new generation of hospitals and the plan was subject to several revisions; for example in 1965 the number of major reconstructions was scaled down from 134 to 59. The date by which the plan's targets would be met were also repeatedly put back and further affected by the public spending cuts of the 1970's. Schemes originally proposed in 1962 were still being completedor partially completedin the 1980s and 90s. In reality only a third were ever fully completed, a third partially so and the rest not started at all.
	From 1980, 10 schemes with values of 50 million or more, in real terms, proceeded to construction. Since 1997, 19 hospital schemes worth over 50 million given the go ahead after that date have become operational with a further 17 under construction, with a total capital value of over 5 billion. Just as importantly, the great majority are all one phase projects. 43 more schemes are in development.
	So in terms of the number of major hospital schemes completed, the number of years over which this has been achieved and their total value, the period since 1997 has seen the largest sustained hospital building programme since the NHS was founded.

NHS Life Check

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she plans to take to ensure that those people who would most benefit from the NHS Life Check proposed in the Health and Social Care White Paper (a) take them up and (b) have their cases followed up.

Caroline Flint: Consultation with people in areas with the worst health and deprivation (spearhead areas) will be an integral part of the development of NHS Life Check. Development and evaluation of the new service will cover both self-assessment and follow up support.

NHS Neurologists

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase the number of NHS neurologists in Shropshire.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local national health service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high quality NHS services and take action to recruit the appropriate staff required to deliver these services.
	A range of national initiatives are in place to help increase the NHS workforce, including the number of neurologists. These initiatives include improving pay and conditions, encouraging the NHS to become a better, more flexible and diverse employer, help with accessing child care, increasing training, attracting returners and running national and international recruitment campaigns.

NHS Pensions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many directors of strategic health authorities and primary care trusts in England are 50 years or over and entitled to take early pensions from the NHS.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not available centrally.

NHS Professionals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have been placed by NHS Professionals since its inception.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of staff placed by NHS Professionals is not collected centrally.

NHS Walk-in Centres

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS walk-in centres she plans to be fully operational in England by April 2010.

Liam Byrne: Decisions on the development of local health care services including the number of national health service walk-in centres are determined by primary care trusts (PCTs).
	NHS walk-in centres are part of a range of services available to PCTs that can help improve access to primary care services and extend patient choice. The recently published White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: A New Direction for Community Services promotes the development of NHS walk-in centres as a means for patients to have access to high quality primary healthcare services.

NICE

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence assesses qualitative research in its appraisal of technologies and treatments;
	(2)  whether the membership of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisal committee responsible for the appraisal of drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease includes dementia specialists.

Jane Kennedy: I understand that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does assess both qualitative and quantitative research in its appraisal of technologies.
	The independent appraisal committee at NICE is a standing committee made up of health professionals working in the national health service and people who are familiar with the issues affecting patients and carers. Although the appraisal committee seeks the views of organisations representing health professionals, patients, carers, manufacturers and Government, its advice is independent of any vested interests. I understand that, to inform the appraisal committee's decision making on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, three patient advocate nominees and four clinical experts on dementia were invited to give their expert personal views to the appraisal committee.
	The current NICE appraisal consultation document on Alzheimer's disease treatments, lists, in appendix A, the membership of the appraisal committee. A copy is available from the NICE'S website at: www.nice.org.uk.

NICE

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence spent on employing health appraisal economists to assess the cost of treatments being assessed in each of the last three financial years;
	(2)  what the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence budget is in 2006 for employing health appraisal economists to assess the cost of treatments being assessed.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not held by the Department.

NICE

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will list National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisals that have taken full account of quality of life issues;
	(2)  whether the current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisal on Alzheimer's disease drugs has considered the impact of quality of life of carers.

Jane Kennedy: All of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisals takes into account quality of life issues. To date, NICE has published 95 technology appraisals. A full list of appraisals and the appraisal consultation document on drugs for Alzheimer's disease is available on the NICE'S website at: www.nice.org.uk.

NSPCC

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) projects and (b) services run by the NSPCC have received funding from her Department in each of the last three years; how much funding was received in each case and for what duration.

Liam Byrne: The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has a pivotal role in child protection, welfare and safeguarding children. The lead responsibilities for these essential elements of Government policy are with the Department for Education and Skills, which have provided some funding to the NSPCC in the last three years. The Department has not provided funding to the NSPCC in that period, but works closely with the Department for Education and Skills, NSPCC and a wide range of other voluntary organisations, on issues such as increasing awareness of child abuse among people who work with children.

Nursing

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses work in NHS hospitals in the East Riding of Yorkshire; and how many of them are employed via an agency.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table for trusts within the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority (SHA) area.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed by trusts in the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA area as at September 2004
		
			  Total qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff Of which: bank 
		
		
			 Yorkshire and the Humber GOR 28,500 1,348 
			
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA 7,315 300 
			 Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust 588 43 
			 Hull and East Riding Community Health NHS Trust 647 14 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2,466 39 
			 Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust 1,733 142 
			 Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care NHS Trust 636 12 
			 York Health Services NHS Trust 1,245 50 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census 2004

Nursing

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses work in NHS hospitals in the Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust; and how many of them were employed via agencies in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: qualified nurses in Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust by area of work as at 30 September 2004 -- Headcount
		
			  Total qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff Of which Bank staff 
		
		
			 All qualified nurses 366 26 
			 Acute elderly and general 148 0 
			 Paediatric nursing 4 0 
			 Community services 182 26 
			 Practice nurses 32 0 
		
	
	Sources:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census.
	Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Nye Bevan Awards

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why no Nye Bevan Awards have been made since 2000.

Liam Byrne: The Nye Bevan health awards were implemented in 1999 and ran for two years. From 2001 the Nye Bevan awards, along with Social Care Awards and NHS Equity awards were amalgamated into the Health and Social Care Awards. The objective in doing this was to combine health and social care into one awards scheme to front line staff.

Obesity (Doncaster, North)

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children in the Doncaster North constituency were estimated to be obese in the latest period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The data are not available in the format requested. The main source of data on the prevalence of obesity is the Health Survey for England (HSE). The sample size of the health survey does not allow figures to be produced to the level of parliamentary constituencies. For children, aged two to 10, national and Government office region (GOR) figures are presented using the national body mass index percentile classification.
	The available information is shown in tables 1 and 2, using the estimated obesity prevalence results of the HSE for 2001, 2002 and 2003. The national level data presented are the most recent available, and shows obesity prevalence among children. GOR data provided are the most recent available and use combined information from the 2001 and 2002 surveys.
	
		Table 1: Obesity prevalence among children aged 2 to 10, England, 2003
		
			  Children aged 210 with valid BMI 
		
		
			 Obese (percentage) 13.7 
			   
			 Bases (weighted) 1,774 
			 Bases (unweighted) 1,733 
		
	
	Note:
	Prevalence based on the United Kingdom National BMI percentile classification.
	Source:
	Obesity among children under 11, 2005. Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Information Centre
	
		Table 2: Obesity prevalence among children aged 2 to 10, Yorkshire and the Humber, 200102
		
			  Children aged 210 with valid BMI 
		
		
			 Obese (percentage) 11.4 
			   
			 Bases (weighted) 750 
			 Bases (unweighted) 634 
		
	
	Note:
	Prevalence based on the UK National BMI percentile classification.
	Source:
	Obesity among children under 11, 2005. Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Information Centre

Operations

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been undertaken in primary care settings in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: Table 3.5.6 in the statistical supplement of the Chief Executive's report to the NHS (December 2005) sets out the number of national health service-funded operative procedures in different settings. Due to definitional issues, data prior to 200304 are not comparable.
	The supplement is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/43/03/04124303.pdf.

Operations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which trusts are restricting the number of operations they carry out until the 200607 financial year.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not centrally collected by the Department. However, at the end of 2005, the maximum waiting time for first outpatient appointment with a consultant fell to 13 weeks and the maximum waiting time for inpatient treatment fell to six months. The national health service remains committed to these targets.

Ostomy Care

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the consultation Arrangements for the Provision of Dressings, Incontinence Appliances, Stoma Appliances, Chemical Reagents and Other Appliances to Primary and Secondary Care.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 February 2006, Official Report, columns 179596W, to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd)

Parliamentary Questions

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to reply to the question of 17 January 2006 (44309) from the hon. Member for Hertsmere regarding colon cancer screening.

Rosie Winterton: A reply was given to the hon. Member on 15 February 2006, Official Report, column 2110W.

Patient-led Frameworks

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under the health reform in England proposals, who will have overall responsibility for the patient in the patient-led framework; whether primary care trusts will have a (a) superintending and (b) funding role for (i) general practice and (ii) hospitals.

Liam Byrne: General practitioners (GPs) will continue to have primary clinical responsibility for their patients. They will continue to provide clinical care and referrals where appropriate.
	The Department will continue to make allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) through the unified allocation. PCTs will then be responsible for commissioning or providing services to meet local healthcare needs.
	PCTs will commission primary care services under primary medical services and general medical services contractual agreements. They will work closely with, and support, GPs and primary care professionals through practice based commissioning to commission hospital and other healthcare services.
	There will be clear contractual arrangements between PCTs and healthcare providers, including hospitals, which will enable PCTs to effectively performance manage the services provided.

Payment by Results

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under the health reform in England proposals for the system of payment by results, whether the tariff to enable the system will take account of (a) differences in costs dependent on the location of the hospital, (b) the change in prognosis for the patient before and after treatment achieved by the hospital, (c) differing responses of patients to treatment and (d) variations in duration of stay in hospital of different types of patient.

Liam Byrne: Under payment by results, the tariff is adjusted by a market forces factor which takes account of unavoidable differences in the cost of providing services across the country.
	The tariff is based on average costs as reported by national health service organisations and as such will reflect the full case mix of patients, whatever their prognosis on admission. Although there is no specific adjustment for the patient's prognosis after treatment, there is provision in guidance for a price to be agreed locally for emergency readmissions.
	The tariff takes account of differing responses to treatment, and variations in duration of stay, by providing adjustments for long and short stays in hospital. A long stay outlier payment will operate after a patient's length of stay exceeds a pre determined period in hospital, dependant on the relevant healthcare resource group (HRG), at a per diem rate specific to that particular HRG. A short stay emergency payment system is in use for certain HRGs that have a national mean non-elective spell duration of five days or more. A reduced short stay tariff is paid where the stay is zero to one day.

Payment by Results

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under the health reform in England proposals for a tariff to be used to enable the system of payment by results, what (a) advice and (b) expertise will be provided to hospitals to enable them to assess future income against current and projected expenditure on (i) infrastructure, (ii) staff costs and (iii) service costs; where responsibility will lie for the provision of such guidance; what advice has been prepared for hospitals admitting fewer patients than budgeted for; and what measures will be available in the (A) short and (B) long-term to help hospitals that exceed the tariff rate to cover the resulting deficit.

Liam Byrne: As part of the roll-out of the whole health community diagnostic project to national health service acute trusts, an assessment will be made of the financial robustness and viability of all acute trusts that have not yet applied to become NHS Foundation Trusts (NHSFTs). This will encompass their wider health economies, as well as looking at other authorisation requirements and will give trusts a clear indication of any areas of improvement before they embark upon the NHSFTs application process.
	As a measure to help hospitals whose current costs exceed the tariff rate, payment by results is being implemented over a four-year transition period. Provider income will be managed from local prices to national tariff in incremental steps.
	Year-on-year baseline income changes are capped at two per cent. for individual providers during the four-year transition period, that is until 200809, to help ensure stability.

Pension Liabilities

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the net present value of accrued pension liabilities in respect of (a) present and (b) former employees of her Department and its predecessors.

Liam Byrne: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual departments' pension liabilities are not available. The Cabinet Office: civil superannuation resource accounts for 200405 showed that the total pension liability at 31 March 2005 was 84.1 billion. The value of pension liabilities was assessed as follows:
	liabilities for current members still contributing to the scheme37 billion;
	deferred pensions and contingent pensions for dependants in respect of members no longer contributing12.7 billion and
	current pensions for members and contingent pensions for dependants34.4 billion.
	As a result of a change in the discount rate used for calculating pension liabilities with effect from 1 April 2005, the total pension liability at 1 April 2005 increased by 10.6 billion to 94.7 billion.
	Employer contributions for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, to the nearest thousand, are as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 20,022,000 
			 200304 21,096,000 
			 200405 14,985,000 
		
	
	Projected costs for 200506 are 13,500,000.

Pharmacy Services

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the number of pharmacists who (a) do not provide pharmacy services on Saturdays and (b) provide restricted services on Saturdays.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not held centrally.
	However, the Department does collect information on the number of pharmacies receiving payment for extended weekday opening, which until 3 March 2005, included hours of service before 9 a.m. and after 5.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. In 200405 there were 1,524 such pharmacies in England and Wales. Other pharmacies may open voluntarily.
	Source:
	General Pharmaceutical Services Statistics Bulletin 2006/01ISBN: 1846360315

Physiotherapy

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of physiotherapy graduates who are yet to find their first NHS post; and what methods she uses to collect this information;
	(2)  what work force planning will accompany implementation of the Green Paper on welfare reform for physiotherapists specialising in (a) occupational health and (b) rehabilitation and early intervention;
	(3)  what steps are taken to ensure that unemployed physiotherapy graduates are able to maintain their clinical skills;
	(4)  pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 851W, on physiotherapy, whether she has made an assessment of the implications of the action plan for physiotherapy graduates;
	(5)  pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2005, Official Report, column 630W, on physiotherapy, how often the NHS work force review team has met to discuss implementation of the action plan for physiotherapy graduates;
	(6)  how many physiotherapy vacancies there are in each NHS trust area.

Liam Byrne: holding answers 15 February 2006
	NHS Jobs, the e-recruitment service for the national health service, has been amended to enable physiotherapy graduates to register their details in a database. This will enable the number of physiotherapy graduates seeking jobs to be determined and provide physiotherapy managers with a recruitment route for junior vacancies. The new service became operational on 30 January 2006 and currently has 12 graduates registered.
	NHS Employers, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the NHS work force review team continue to work with NHS managers to help secure posts for new graduates. Lead stakeholders met in July 2005 and are due to meet again at the end of February to review progress. The NHS work force review team sought updates in the autumn, which they shared with stakeholders in December 2005.
	Junior physiotherapists are being encouraged to contact local physiotherapy managers, who may be able to provide opportunities for them to maintain their clinical skills in a variety of ways. This is being supported by Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, who are providing a reduced rate membership for unemployed junior physiotherapists to enable them to utilise such opportunities.
	The Department collects annual vacancy rates, which identified that as at March 2005 the vacancy rates within physiotherapy had reduced to 2.9 per cent., compared to 5.2 per cent. in 2002. Details of the number of vacancies and the vacancies rates for each NHS trust area will be placed in the Library.
	Local work force planners are responsible for collecting information on vacancies within their areas and for ensuring that their workforce needs are mapped against changes to services brought about as a result of new policies and reforms. The NHS workforce review team provide national assistance to local NHS organisations who to enable them to plan for an affordable workforce, able to provide the skills, experience and capacity to deliver locally determined services.

Post Mortem Examinations (Stillborn Viable Babies)

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities are available for the carrying out of post mortem examinations upon still born viable babies from the Ashford, Kent and Canterbury and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (Margate) Hospital maternity units.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 16 February 2006
	This is a local matter. However, I understand that East Kent Hospitals National Health Service Trust no longer undertakes post mortem examinations on babies, according to the Royal College of Pathology guidelines. The trust refers cases to a specialist pathologist, usually to King's College Hospital NHS Trust or occasionally Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Post Mortem Examinations (Stillborn Viable Babies)

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she collects on the length of time waited before carrying out of post mortem examinations upon viable babies still born in the Ashford, Kent and Canterbury and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (Margate) Hospital maternity units.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The Department does not collect information centrally about waits for paediatric and perinatal post mortems.

Pregnancies (Terminations)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which categories of NHS premises are authorised to conduct terminations of pregnancies; what plans she has to increase the number of authorised premises; and what plans she has for NHS community clinics to be authorised to conduct terminations of pregnancies.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 16 February 2006
	Under the Abortion Act 1967, an abortion can only be performed in a hospital vested in a national health service trust, primary care trust or foundation trust or in an approved independent sector place. It is a matter for local commissioners and providers as to which NHS hospitals provide this service.
	Section l(3a) of the Act gives the Secretary of State for Health the power to approve a class of place to perform medical abortion which could enable this method to be available in a wider range of healthcare settings. Two hospitals are being funded by the Department to run early medical abortion services in non-traditional settings, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of provision in these settings.

Prescription Charges/Items

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS has paid in VAT (a) on prescriptions and (b) in total in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held by the Department.

Prescription Charges/Items

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed by (a) the NHS and (b) Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust was in each year since 2000;
	(2)  how many prescription items were dispensed by (a) the NHS and (b) Hammersmith hospital NHS trust in each year since 2000.

Jane Kennedy: The net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed and the number dispensed in the community in England since 2000 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Total net ingredient cost for England ( million) Number of prescriptions dispensed in England (million) 
		
		
			 2000 5,584.6 551.8 
			 2001 6,116.6 587.0 
			 2002 6,846.7 617.0 
			 2003 7,510.1 649.7 
			 2004 8,079.6 686.1 
		
	
	This data are based on the prescription cost analysis (PCA) database and is taken from the Department's statistical bulletin published in 2005. This is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/76/26/04107626.pdf
	Figures for 2005 are not yet available. We have no figures for individual hospital trusts.

Prevenar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost of introducing the vaccine Prevenar on the NHS.

Caroline Flint: The cost to the national health service of introducing vaccinations against pneumococcal disease is dependent on a number of factors, including the number of doses of vaccines offered, the cost of vaccine, and the cost of administration of the vaccine.
	Introducing Prevenar into the routine childhood immunisation schedule, and the proposed catch up programme, is likely to cost in the region of 80 million.

Prevenar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the (a) number and (b) timing of doses of Prevenar required to protect children from invasive infections.

Caroline Flint: These issues are addressed in the published minutes of the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisation meeting of 19 October 2005 and accompanying paper outlining the changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule rationale which is available on the Department's website at: www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/JCVI/minutes.htm

Primary Care Trusts

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the end-of-year financial status was of each primary care trust (PCT) in Essex and Suffolk in each of the last five years; and how many (a) operations and (b) outpatient appointments were cancelled for financial reasons in each PCT in each such year.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The year-end financial position of each national health service trust, primary care trust and strategic health authority from 199798 to 200405 is available in the Library.
	Information on the number of operations and outpatient appointments cancelled due to financial reasons is not held centrally.

Private Finance Initiative

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the likely change in the unitary charge applicable to the St. Bartholomew's and the London Hospitals NHS Trust private finance initiative project which would result from a delay of one month in reaching a financial conclusion.

Jane Kennedy: No such estimates have been made by the Department. If any costs are incurred, these will be subject to agreement and negotiation at the time.

Private Sector

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the (a) care and (b) safety of patients treated in the private sector as NHS patients.

Jane Kennedy: Private health care is regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000. Those private health care establishments, including independent hospitals or clinics, that are subject to registration with, and inspection by, the Healthcare Commission under the Care Standards Act are required to comply with the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England) Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Independent Health Care published in 2002.
	The Healthcare Commission undertakes regular inspections of private health care organisations against this regulatory framework. Establishments are inspected against the requirements of the 2001 regulations and the national minimum standards. Inspections focus on perceived areas of risk in each establishment. Assessment managers prepare written reports setting out requirements, recommendations and areas of concern identified during inspections. These reports, which are published and available on the Healthcare Commission's website include timetables for compliance with any specific requirements.
	The Healthcare Commission currently inspects all registered establishments annually. These annual inspections are supplemented by unannounced inspections.
	In addition, health care provided for national health service patients, be it by the NHS or for the NHS by a non-NHS establishment, maybe reviewed by the Healthcare Commission under 2003 Act, against the NHS standardsStandards for Better Healthpublished by the Secretary of State in July in 2004. As part of its review process, the Healthcare Commission ensures that services for NHS patients delivered from outside the NHS are commissioned against these standards, including those covering patient safety.
	Those services contracted directly by the Department from non-NHS organisations are commissioned using the framework of the Standards for Better Health and where appropriate are reviewed against the private and voluntary health care regulations and NMS.

Protection of Children/Adults

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals referred to her Department for inclusion on the (a) Protection of Children Act 1978 list and (b) Protection of Vulnerable Adults list have not been placed on these lists in each year since the respective lists became operational; and how many of these individuals not included but referred have been convicted of, or cautioned for, a crime listed under Schedule 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 30 January 2006
	In the period 26 July 2004, when the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) list was introduced, to 31 December 2005 3,448 individuals have been referred to the POVA list. This includes 326 individuals cross-referred from the protection of children act list. In the same period, 1,474 cases have been closed because they did not meet the criteria for the scheme as set out in the Care Standards Act 2000.
	Employers who are required by the Care Standards Act 2000 to make referrals to the POVA list are also required to check against the POVA list before a person takes up employment. Such employers are also required to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check of the individuals that will reveal details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer and any local police force information considered relevant. The Department would not therefore expect care providers to employ a person who has committed any offences that are listed in Schedule 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
	All information obtained as a result of a POVA referral, including information about convictions, is retained after cases are closed.

Psychosis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis in the last three years had access to an early intervention team.

Rosie Winterton: It is not possible to provide a complete answer to this question as the national data show the caseload at any time but do not distinguish between those who have been on the caseload for three years or who have become cases more recently. People experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP) can normally expect to be monitored for three years by an early intervention service. 5,420 young people aged 14 to 35 experiencing FEP were being treated at September 2005.

Quality Management and Analysis System

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the prevalence of disease data collected through the quality management and analysis system was for each quarter for which data are available for (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each primary care trust area.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available in the form requested.
	Information from the quality management and analysis system is published on an annual basis by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (NHS HSCIC). Data for the latest year, 200405, at England, strategic health authority and primary care trust level is available on the NHS HSCIC website at www.ic.nhs.uk/services/qof/data/
	It is expected that information for 200506 will be available in the summer of 2006.

Recruitment of Bailiffs

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much (a) her Department and (b) NHS trusts have spent on fees for bailiffs recruited to collect payments for anti-viral drugs from people residing in the UK who have been refused asylum or overstayed their visa; and how much has been collected by bailiffs.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of national health service trusts to decide how to go about pursuing overseas visitors' debt and to ensure that whatever measures are taken are reasonable, based on the individual circumstances of each case. Successive Governments have not required the NHS to provide statistics on the number of overseas visitors seen, nor the costs of providing treatment, including the costs of recovering debts. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.

Respite Care

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what form the entitlement to respite care proposed in the Health and Social Care White Paper will take;
	(2)  what steps she plans to take to establish short-term home-based respite support for carers; and what the entitlement to such support will be.

Liam Byrne: In our White Paper, Our health, our care, our say, we commit ourselves to a new deal for carers. We will work with councils to ensure that short-term, home based respite support is established for carers in crisis or emergency situations.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will increase the settlement for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for the 200607 financial year.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not allocate funding to national health service trusts. NHS trusts as providers of services receive the bulk of their revenue funding from commissioning by primary care trusts. NHS trusts also receive revenue funding from the Department for medical staff education services and for research and development. In addition, trusts can charge staff, visitors, or patients, for services such as catering or provision of private patient facilities.
	Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) will receive an allocation of 331.2 million for 200607. This represents a cash increase of 27.7 million, or 9.1 per cent.
	Telford and Wrekin PCT will receive an allocation of 187.6 million for 200607. This represents a cash increase of 19.5 million, or 11.6 per cent.
	It is for PCTs in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to help the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital tackle MRSA infections.

Rosie Winterton: Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals National Health Service Trust is a member of the MRSA performance improvement network, set up following a national conference in January 2005. This is a group of trusts that works together, with Department's support, to share best practices in reducing the risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
	The trust is also signed up to the delivery programme Saving Lives was launched by the Chief Nursing Officer and the Chief Medical Officer in June 2005. This provides an evidence-based and practical work programme for reduction of risk of MRSA and other healthcare associated infections focused on five key clinical interventions.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies were born in Royal Shrewsbury hospital in (a) 1999 and (b) 2005.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your request for the number of babies born in Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in 1999 and 2005. (51272)
	In 1999 there were 4075 live-born babies delivered at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Figures for 2005 are not yet available but the equivalent number for 2004 was 4125.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has plans to increase the number of posts for trainee nurses at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Rosie Winterton: The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals National Health Service Trust has no plans at present to increase the number of trainee nurse posts at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients with lung cancer were treated at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital in (a) 2000 and (b) 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		All diagnoses count of finished consultant episodes and patients with a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung,national health service hospitals, England, 19992000, 200001 and 200405
		
			  19992000 200001 200405 
			 Selected providers of treatment Finished consultant episodes Patient counts Finished consultant episodes Patient counts Finished consultant episodes Patient counts 
		
		
			 The Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust 152 82 174 95 n/a n/a 
			 Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust 370 159 403 171 n/a n/a 
			 Total Finished Consultant Episodes 522  577  n/a n/a 
			 Total Unique Patient Counts  230  254 n/a n/a 
			 Shrewsbury And Telford Hospitals NHS Trust n/a n/a n/a n/a 972 278 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	All diagnoses count of episodes
	These figures represent a count of all FCE's where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a hospital episode statistics (HES) record.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Secondary diagnoses
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	Patient counts
	Patient counts are based on the unique patient identifier HES identification (HESID). This identifier is derived based on patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and NHS number, using an agreed algorithm. Where data are incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.
	Ungrossed data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, that is the data is ungrossed.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Royston Hospital

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the future of Royston hospital.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 6 February 2006
	The future of Royston hospital is a matter for local decision making which should take full account of local circumstances.

School Nurses

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many school nurses there are in Cumbria; and where they are located.

Liam Byrne: The information relating to the primary care trusts (PCTs) in the Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority (SHA) area is shown in the table.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: Qualified nurses in the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority area by organisation in the school nursing area of work as at 30 September 2004
		
			  Nurses qualified in school nursing Of which: School nurses 
		
		
			 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA 155 62 
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 23 5 
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT 24 5 
			 Carlisle and District PCT 13 10 
			 Chorley and South Ribble PCT 13 0 
			 Eden Valley PCT 4 0 
			 Fylde PCT 34 17 
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT 13 3 
			 Morecambe Bay PCT 8 8 
			 West Cumbria PCT 10 10 
			 West Lancashire PCT 13 4 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census 2004

Sex Offenders

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records she keeps of the number of persons with convictions or cautions for sex offences employed (a) by the NHS and (b) within the NHS who have contact with juveniles; of how many she is aware; and to what (i) advice and (ii) statutory requirements their managers are expected to have regard.

Liam Byrne: holding answer26 January 2006
	The responsibility for carrying out pre-employment checks rests with the relevant national health service trust. The NHS is required to follow the guidance, Safer Recruitment issued in May 2005 which covers all the pre- and post-appointment checks that NHS employers must make before appointing anyone to a position in the NHS. The Department also published, Working Together to Safeguard Children in 2000. This document sets out how all agencies and professionals should work together to promote children's welfare and protect them from abuse and neglect.
	The decisions on recruiting, employing and disciplining staff are matters for individual NHS trusts and these are not reported to the Department. The Department does not therefore hold information about NHS employees of the kind requested.

Sexual Health Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps (a) to improve rapid access to sexual health services and (b) to develop provision of sexual health services in primary care.

Caroline Flint: The Choosing Health White Paper contains a commitment that by 2008 everyone referred to genitor-urinary medicine services (GUM), including self-referral, should be able to have an appointment within 48 hours. Primary care trusts and strategic health authorities have already developed plans on how they will meet the target of 48-hour access through the local delivery planning process and the latest survey shows that this is being achieved almost half the time already. To support this, the Department is investing an extra 145 million over three years for GUM services and infrastructure to enable clinics to expand their services and reduce waiting times. In addition, a further 40 million has also been invested over the next two years through the White Paper to improve access to contraceptive services.
	The National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (2001) highlighted the need to diversify the provision of sexual health services, including measures to provide services in primary care. Recommended Standards for Sexual Health Services was published by the Department in March 2005 to provide good practice guidance for those providing sexual health services, including primary care.

Sexually-transmitted Diseases

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed in (a) England, (b) London, (c) the London borough of Hillingdon and (d) Uxbridge constituency (i) in each year since 1997 and (ii) in each of the last 12 months; and which sexually transmitted disease was most frequently diagnosed in each case.

Caroline Flint: The data requested are only collected at strategic health authority level and above. It is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/epidemiology/dataresouce.htm.

Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much VAT the Southport and Ormskirk hospitals paid the Exchequer for drugs purchased by the hospital in (a) 2001, (b) 2003 and (c) 2005.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.
	Value added tax is not separately identified within the national health service summarisation schedules/accounts submitted to the Department.

St. Mary's Hospital, Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals have been submitted to her Department to re-open St. Mary's hospital in Armley, West Leeds, as a local health centre; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The St. Mary's hospital in Armley is open. The hospital is owned by Leeds mental health teaching national health service trust, which provides a range of community and mental health services from the site. Leeds West primary care trust also provides some community services from the hospital.

Stoma and Other Appliances

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responses she has received to her Department's consultation document on the provision of Stoma and other appliances; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) on 13 February 2006, Official Report, columns 179596W.

Taphoorn Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the report by Martin Taphoorn and others entitled Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Glioblastoma: A Randomised Controlled Trial, published in The Lancet in November 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not assessed the research referred to in the question. Evidence from the substantial body of cancer research conducted nationally and internally is considered by expert groups set up to advise the Government and the Department, for example, groups such as the national radiotherapy advisory group and the advisory committee on breast cancer screening.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence routinely consults relevant National Cancer Research Institute's clinical studies groups in all of the work it does in relation to cancer.

Therapeutic and Recovery Services

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what therapeutic and recovery services are available in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Wakefield District and (c) Normanton constituency for under 16s who have suffered abuse or neglect.

Liam Byrne: Care for under-16s who have suffered abuse or neglect in the Wakefield district, including Normanton, is provided using a multi-agency approach. Led by social care, this involves staff from Eastern Wakefield Primary Care Trust's child protection, community paediatric, health visiting, school nursing and child and adolescent mental health services as appropriate. These teams work with social care and education to deliver care and support based on the individual needs of the patient.

Treatment Centres

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department will reply to the Freedom of Information request by the Centre for International Public Health Policy, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh reference number PO 00000055787, made on 7 December 2005 requesting the source of the research referred to in her Department's press release of 2 February 2005, Faster access and more choice for cataract patients, about the performance of independent sector treatment centres.

Liam Byrne: The request was replied to in full on 10 February 2006.

Tuberculosis

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the proposals in Stopping Tuberculosis in England in (a) Southend and (b) England.

Caroline Flint: The Department is working with key partners and stakeholders to deliver the objectives of the tuberculosis action plan. Progress to date includes:
	Establish high quality TB surveillance, with monitoring of outcomes
	Health Protection Agency (HPA) work by streamlining disease surveillance, in conjunction with Department of Health officials, and an expert TB laboratory and surveillance working group, is approaching culmination.
	Improve case finding of TB
	The Home Office launched its five-year strategy on immigration in 2005, which included a programme of overseas screening for TB for people applying to come to UK for six months or longer. Implementation of screening started in four countries: Tanzania, Thailand, Sudan and Bangladesh in October 2005. A roll-out to a further 13 countries is planned from April 2006. There will be a long-term evaluation of both phases.
	Develop strong commitment and leadership for TB control
	The Department policy on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination has been changed from the schools based programme to a targeted neonatal vaccination programme following advice from the BCG sub-group of the joint committee for vaccination and immunisation (JCVI). This provides greatest benefit to the recipients of BCG vaccine.
	Progress on delivering the key actions on TB in Southend are a matter for the local primary care trusts and the Department does not collect such specific information.

Tuberculosis

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which 10 areas in England had the highest rates of tuberculosis infection in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: The 10 local authorities with the highest rates of notified cases of tuberculosis in England for 2002, 2003 and 2004 are shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Area 2002 
		
		
			 Leicester UA 90.3 
			 Newham 89.7 
			 Ealing 84.6 
			 Brent 83.0 
			 Tower Hamlets 73.0 
			 Hackney 65.6 
			 Islington 61.9 
			 Camden 60.4 
			 Harrow 58.6 
			 Slough UA 54.5 
		
	
	
		
			 Area 2003 
		
		
			 Newham 97.7 
			 Hackney 92.6 
			 Slough UA 65.7 
			 Brent 65.4 
			 Tower Hamlets 64.9 
			 Islington 62.7 
			 City of London 62.2 
			 Camden 56.5 
			 Luton UA 52.9 
			 Harrow 52.2 
		
	
	
		
			 Area 2004 
		
		
			 Hackney 95.1 
			 Newham 92.0 
			 Slough UA 68.0 
			 Brent 60.9 
			 Tower Hamlets 57.8 
			 Harrow 57.1 
			 Leicester UA 56.5 
			 Luton UA 47.3 
			 Hillingdon 47.0 
			 Islington 46.7 
		
	
	Source:
	Statutory Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDS), Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections. Data as at 8 February 2006

Tuberculosis

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of tuberculosis were reported in each of the last five years in the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust area.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the tuberculosis notifications for the Peterborough and South Kesteven local authorities (LAs) for the period from 2000 to 2004. The majority of the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust area is within the boundaries of the Peterborough LA. However it also falls within the boundaries of the Kesteven LA.
	
		Statutory notifications of tuberculosis excluding chemoprophylaxis.
		
			  Peterborough unitary authority South Kesteven local authority 
		
		
			 2000 12 1 
			 2001 22 1 
			 2002 30 0 
			 2003 14 1 
			 2004 30 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections

Turnaround Teams

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 17 January 2006, Official Report, column 1294W on turnaround teams, if she will publish the turnaround team's assessment of Chelmsford primary care trust.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 January 2006
	Chelmsford primary care trust (PCT) was subject to a baseline assessment exercise. The aim of this exercise was to ensure there was an agreed understanding of the local financial problem and that actions are in hand to address this. The PCT will now agree a tailored package of turnaround support with their strategic health authority.
	A report from the Director of Finance of the Department was released by the Department on 25 January 2006. This gives the results of the assessments.

Vending Machines

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Food Standards Agency is developing guidance for vending machines in public service buildings; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Department have published guidance for schools on practical ways of developing approaches, which provide healthy drinks and snacks. The FSA has no plans to develop guidance on vending in other contexts.

Waiting Lists/Times

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) Wakefield District have had to wait more than (i) one month, (ii) two months and (iii) three months for an appointment with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Waiting Lists/Times

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average out-patient waiting times for (a) all hospital referrals and (b) referrals to hospitals from general practitioners were on (i) 1 January 1997, (ii) 1 January 2001 and (ii) 1 January 2005.

Jane Kennedy: Out-patient waiting times are measured from general practitioner (GP) referral to first out-patient appointment and are collected on the final day of each quarter. Figures are not collected centrally on waiting times from other referrals. Estimated average waiting times from GP referral are shown in the table.
	
		Estimated average waiting time for first out-patient appointment following GP written referralAll specialties, England, provider based
		
			 Quarter ended Median wait (weeks) 
		
		
			 December 1996 6.1 
			 December 2000 7.4 
			 December 2004 6.9 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08

Walk-in Centres

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS walk-in centres are funded centrally; and when their funding will become the responsibility of primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: The initial national health service walk-in centres were developed as pilot sites with substantial central capital and recurrent revenue support from the Department. As the NHS walk-in centre service model has established itself as a mainstream service subsequent centres have been developed with less central funding. The only exception is the centres which are now being developed with a commuter focus. Their core service is being centrally funded for the first three years in recognition that their services are intended primarily for people who live outside the primary care trust area.
	Our aim is that all NHS walk-in centres should be funded locally and sustainably. The recently published White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: A New Direction for Community Services commits the Department to review NHS walk-in centre funding arrangements to deliver this. Until that review has been completed it is not possible to set a timeframe for this change.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 726W, on Worcestershire Royal hospital, when the hon. Member for West Worcestershire will receive a letter from the West Midlands South strategic health authority.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The West Midlands South strategic health authority is looking into the series of complaints referred to by the hon. Member and will write to him with its findings in due course.

Working with Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people on (a) the sex offenders' register and (b) her Department's list of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children have been employed by local authorities to work with children.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information that the hon Gentleman requires is not held by the Department.
	There is a duty on child care organisations (i.e. organisations concerned with the provision of social or health care services to children), including local authorities, who propose to employ individuals in child care positions, to check they are not on the Protection of Children Act List and that they must not offer employment to any such person.
	Moreover, it is an offence under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 for persons who are disqualified from working with children (including those on the PoCA list) to work in a child care (or regulated) position and it is an offence for an employer knowingly to offer, or fail to remove, a disqualified individual from such a position.

Working with Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been on her Department's list of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children in each of the last five years.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	We are unable to provide information in the format requested because our systems are continuously updated.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academic/Support Staff (Pay)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the total funding from Rewarding and Developing Staff rounds 1 and 2 has been spent directly on pay for existing academic and support staff.

Bill Rammell: The aim of the Rewarding and Developing Staff (RDS) initiative has been to enable higher education institutions (HEIs) to develop their human resource (HR) capability. To secure allocations of funding under round 1 of the initiative (200102 to 200304), HEIs were asked to submit human resource strategies to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Institutions were asked to address six priority areas: recruitment and retention; staff development and training; equal opportunities targets (including plans for job evaluation); reviews of staffing needs; performance review; and tackling poor performance.
	KPMG was commissioned by HEFCE to undertake an evaluation of round 1 of the scheme, to assess the impact of the initiative on the development of HR management. KPMG's findings were that the distribution of expenditure between the six priority areas was as follows.
	
		
			  Proportion of expenditure (all HEIs) (200102 to 200304) 
			 Priority area  million Percentage 
		
		
			 Staff training and development 82.5 25 
			 Recruitment and retention 66 20 
			 Analysis of staffing needs 59.4 18 
			 Equal Opportunities 42.9 13 
			 Annual Performance Reviews 19.8 6 
			 Poor Performance 13.2 4 
			 Sub-total 283.8 86 
			 Not specified 46.2 14 
			 Total 330 100 
		
	
	Note:
	Data derived from HEIs' Annual Monitoring Statements.
	It is not possible to identify expenditure on pay separately, but an element for pay will have been distributed through each of the categories Recruitment and retention, Equal Opportunities and Annual Performance Reviews. Further details of the KPMG evaluation report can be found at http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2005/rd14_05/ Analysis of expenditure in round 2 (200405 to 200506), which finishes in July 2006, will be published in 2007.

Academies

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of academies select some of their pupils by aptitude.

Jacqui Smith: Like other schools, academies may introduce up to 10 per cent. selection by aptitude, if they have a specialism in one of the prescribed subjects. This allows children living further away, but who can demonstrate an aptitude in the specialism, to benefit from this specialist provision. 11 of the 27 open academies do so.

Adoption

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) single men, (b) single women and (c) couples have adopted children in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected centrally. Figures on the numbers, gender and legal status of adopters of looked after children in England will be collected for the first time during the 200607 financial year. To ensure no individual can be identified from statistical tables, release of this data at a local authority level will be subject to the Department's normal rounding and suppression rules for very small numbers.

Adoption

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were adopted in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The number of children adopted in England and Wales over each of the last five years for which figures are available is set out in the following table. Figures for 2004 are expected to be available on 28 March 2006 and figures for 2005 should be available in spring 2007.
	
		Adoption orders by date of court order, England and Wales:
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 1999 4,987 
			 2000 5,086 
			 2001 5,384 
			 2002 5,485 
			 2003 5,354 
		
	
	Source:
	Marriage, divorce and adoption statistics Series FM2 no 30 Office for National Statistics Table 6.1b

Adoption

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) single men, (b) single women and (c) couples have adopted children in West Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected centrally. Figures on the numbers, gender and legal status of adopters of looked after children in England will be collected for the first time during the 200607 financial year. To ensure no individual can be identified from statistical tables, release of this data at a local authority level will be subject to the Department's normal rounding and suppression rules for very small numbers.

Admissions Appeals (Yorkshire)

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many parents in (a) East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) Hull made appeals against schools which did not offer their child a place in each of the last five years; and how many of these appeals were upheld.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not collect information on the number of appeals made by parents against the school allocated for their child. The available information relates to appeals made by parents against the decision to refuse their child admission to the school of their choice and is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools: appeals by parents against non-admission of their children, each academic year:1999/2000 to 2003/04
		
			  Maintained primary 
			   Appeals heard Appeals decided in parents' favour 
			  Number of appeals lodged Number Percentage(115) Number Percentage(116) 
		
		
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Local Authority 
			 1999/2000 304 221 72.7 157 71.0 
			 2000/01 210 135 64.3 77 57.0 
			 2001/02 163 63 38.7 30 47.6 
			 2002/03 144 80 55.6 44 55.0 
			 2003/04(117) 123 72 58.5 31 43.1 
			   
			 City of Kingston-upon-Hull Local Authority 
			 1999/2000 91 73 80.2 28 38.4 
			 2000/01 118 85 72.0 40 47.1 
			 2001/02 89 72 80.9 32 44.4 
			 2002/03 51 45 88.2 18 40.0 
			 2003/04(117) 52 46 88.5 32 69.6 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained primary 
			   Appeals heard Appeals decided in parents' favour 
			  Number of appeals lodged Number Percentage(115) Number Percentage(116) 
		
		
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Local Authority  
			 1999/2000 685 495 72.3 237 47.9 
			 2000/01 405 264 65.2 171 64.8 
			 2001/02 504 326 64.7 208 63.8 
			 2002/03 478 327 68.4 193 59.0 
			 2003/04(117) 433 251 58.0 186 74.1 
			   
			 City of Kingston-upon-Hull Local Authority  
			 1999/2000 685 554 80.9 175 31.6 
			 2000/01 593 399 67.3 147 36.8 
			 2001/02 731 542 74.1 203 37.5 
			 2002/03 650 559 86.0 263 47.0 
			 2003/04(117) 561 492 87.7 286 58.1 
		
	
	(115) Number of appeals heard by a committee expressed as a percentage of the number of appeals lodged by parents.
	(116) Number of appeals decided in parents' favour expressed as a percentage of the number of appeals heard by a committee.
	(117) A revised Code of Practice was issued in January 2003.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census and Admission Appeals Survey

Adult Education/Learning Programmes

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average cost is of providing an additional adult education place in 200506.

Phil Hope: In 200405 the Learning and Skills Council spent 2,999 million on education and training programmes for 3,995,000 adult learners, at an average cost of 750 per adult. The cost of a course for a learner will depend on the length of the course, the type of learning, the characteristics of the learner and the location of the provision.

Adult Education/Learning Programmes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adult education students attended courses in Essex in each of the last five years; what adult education courses are offered in Essex; and how many adult literacy course places were available in Essex in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector, including adult education, to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC is responsible for the planning and funding of post-16 education and works through 47 local offices within a framework set by Government. The LSC has published information about the number of learners achieving skills for life, including literacy, target qualifications in local LSC areas including Essex, in its most recent annual report and accounts for 200405. In the period 2001 to 2004, 17,648 people in Essex achieved a qualification. I am copying this letter to Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive so that he can respond with further details about the other specific issues raised.

Adult Education/Learning Programmes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has commissioned into the social profile of adult learners.

Phil Hope: The Department commissioned the national adult learning survey (NALS) in 1997, 2001 and 2002 and reports of these studies are in the House of Commons Library. A further survey took place in 2005 and the report will be published later this year. These surveys provide data on participation in different types of adult learning by a range of demographic characteristics, socio-economic and educational background, and local deprivation factors.
	The surveys show that participation in adult learning is highest amongst those in full-time employment and lowest among those who are retired or incapable of work. Participation is also positively related to qualification levels, to household income and to socio-economic group, being highest among professional and managerial workers and lowest amongst unskilled manual workers. There is an inverse relationship between levels of participation in learning and levels of local deprivation.

Adult Education/Learning Programmes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many neighbourhood learning centres were set up following the report of the policy action team of the Social Exclusion Unit in 1999; and how many are still open.

Maria Eagle: As there are already large numbers of local centres including schools, colleges, community centres and a wide range of centres run by local authorities and the voluntary sector we took the decision not to deliberately create new centres. Instead we have, through the Learning and Skills Council, created the neighbourhood learning in deprived communities fund to support local voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver learning opportunities for residents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. For 2005/06 the budget is 30 million of which 10 million is for capital projects.
	In 2004/05 over 30,000 new learners were enrolled on learning funded through the programme, involving over 2,500 centres, of which nearly 700 were new to learning.

Adult Education/Learning Programmes

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average level of employer contributions was to fees for further education adult learning programmes in the last year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: In 2003/04 and 2004/05 adult learners in further education (FE) were assumed to contribute 25 per cent. of the basic course cost of their learning unless fees were remitted because the learner was receiving an income-based benefit or on a Skills for Life programme. This proportion increased to 27.5 per cent. in 2005/06, and will rise again in 2006/07 to 32.5 per cent. and to 37.5 per cent. in 2007/08. In average terms, this means a rise from an hourly rate of 1.42 to 1.94 by 2007/08. The fees collected by FE colleges and other providers cannot be broken down by the source of funder and may be paid by the individual learner or their employer.
	However, we know that historically many FE providers choose to waive the fees for some of these fee-paying learners:
	In 2003/04, FE providers collected 152 million out of an expected 261 million
	In 2004/05, 159 million was collected out of an expected 277 million.
	The Skills Strategy White Paper set out a vision for transforming the way in which the learning and skills sector can support higher national investment in skills, which included ensuring that the state, employers and individuals all contribute towards the costs of their learning, in line with the benefits received by each.
	In order to increase the levels of fees collected, from 2005/06 the LSC agreed a fee income measure with each FE funded provider. To assist providers in developing a strategic approach to, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) published a good practice guide to fee income earlier this year. Clearly, with the increase in the fee assumption, it will be important that FE providers recover as much money as possible from learners and employers.

Arson

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many arson attacks on schools resulted in building losses in excess of 100,000 in each year since 1996;
	(2)  what guidance her Department has issued to schools on arson prevention.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not have information on the costs of individual school fires, and nor does the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
	According to figures from ODPM, around 60 per cent. of school fires are started deliberately. It is a serious problem and the Department has issued guidance on arson prevention in two of its Managing School Facilities handbooks: Guide 4, Improving Security in Schools and; Guide 6, Fire Safety. Both of these are published by the Stationery Office, and the latter can also be viewed on www.teachernet.gov.uk/fire. The Department is also represented on the Arson in Schools Working Group, an inter-departmental and inter-agency group, which produced the guide How to combat Arson in Schools, available from the Arson Prevention Bureau.
	Work on new fire safety guidance for schools is well advanced and this includes further advice on arson prevention. Entitled Designing and Managing Against the Risk of Fire in Schools, we expect to be able to publish this by September this year.

Avian Influenza

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice her Department has issued to schools concerning the health and safety of pupils and staff in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 14 February 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to earlier replies to the hon. Member for East Devon (Mr. Swire) on 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 445W, and the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1341W.

Beacon Status

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the criteria are for the awarding of Beacon status by her Department; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether there is a limit on the number of Beacon schools in any region.

Jacqui Smith: The Government ended the centrally funded Beacon Schools programme in August 2005. For secondary schools the Leading Edge Partnership programme (LEPP) builds on the success of the Beacon Schools programme. Schools were assessed against a range of criteria to join LEPP including performance data and evidence of innovative and collaborative practice. Participation in the LEPP from 2006 onwards is open to specialist schools who meet certain performance criteria at re-designation.

Bichard Project

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff are employed in the Bichard Implementation Project Division.

Maria Eagle: As of Friday 17 February, 15 staff were employed in the Bichard Implementation Project Division.

Bichard Project

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the consultancy firms involved in the Bichard Implementation Project Division; what the cost is of those consultants; how many of them there are; what the (a) professional background and (b) expertise of each consultant is; and how many have experience in (i) child protection and (ii) police investigations.

Maria Eagle: The implementation of recommendation 19 of the Bichard Report is a substantial and complex area of work. Two consultancy firms, WCL Consultants and Charteris and one individual consultant, currently have contracts with the Department worth a total of 1.8 million in this financial year, to provide a range of specialist expertise not found within the Department on project management, police processes, IT requirements and financial, business and process modelling. The consultancy firms are deploying a range of individuals to produce agreed deliverables in these areas.

Biometric Information

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the legal basis is for the collection and retention of biometric information of school children by schools without parental consent;
	(2)  what requirement there is for informed parental consent to be given before biometrics are taken as part of a school's electronic (a) registration, (b) canteen and (c) library system;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the number of (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools which record biometric data on their pupils;
	(4)  what guidance her Department issues to schools on the recording of biometric information in schools in England;
	(5)  if she will make a statement on the use of biometric (a) registration, (b) canteen and (c) library systems in English schools;
	(6)  if she will issue guidelines to forbid the recording of biometric information of schools without parental consent.

Jacqui Smith: My Department has issued no guidance to schools on the collection and recording of pupils' biometric information. In collecting data of this type the school is likely to rely on the broad powers contained in paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 of the Education Act 2002. This enables a governing body to do anything which appears to them to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of, or in connection with the conduct of the school. It will be for the school to establish that it is acting lawfully in collecting data and is, on a case-by-case basis, compliant with Human Rights and Data Protection duties and the common law of confidentiality. Schools should seek legal advice from their local authority where necessary. The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) published guidance for schools in 2004 on their obligations and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and other related legislation.
	We are aware that some schools do hold a photograph of pupils on their management information systems; use fingerprint scanners for the twice daily attendance registration of pupils; or use iris-scanners. However, my Department does not collect any information on how many schools use such equipment or hold photos or any other biometric data on their systems.
	The Department does not issue specific guidance on the procurement of cashless systems for school meals, which sometimes make use of biometric data, although it does encourage schools and local authorities to consider their use, within the context of improving take-up of free school meals, improving the efficiency of the meals service, and reducing possible causes of bullying from children carrying cash.

Bullying

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking to tackle bullying in schools;
	(2)  what statistics the Government holds on bullying in schools;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of Government strategies to tackle bullying in schools.

Jacqui Smith: This Government have given an unprecedentedly high profile to tackling bullying and supporting those who have been bullied. Our anti-bullying work, including the anti-bullying charter for action, takes an integrated approach to preventing bullying, to addressing causes of bullyingfor example prejudiceand to helping those who are bullied.
	Following the White Paper, in 2006 we shall be issuing guidance on prejudice driven bullying, including racist and homophobic bullying, providing school staff with valuable support in an area they often find challenging. On 28 February we plan to launch our advice on countering racist bullying and we will follow this in March with a national programme of dissemination events.
	Since 1999 it has been compulsory for every school to have an anti-bullying policy in place which details how the school will tackle bullying.
	We have secured a very broad consensus, with all the teaching professional associations and the Anti-Bullying Alliance signing up to our anti-bullying charter for action. The charter is a voluntary commitment to creating a school community where bullying is not tolerated. In 2006 we plan to share examples of where the charter has been particularly well implemented with other schools so that they can learn from this best practice.
	Through our work with the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), an organisation comprising over 65 leading anti-bullying charities and experts, we provide schools and local authorities with expert help to tackle bullying. The national strategies' behaviour materials provide schools with support in reducing and responding to bullying.
	We have put more adults than ever in our schoolsteachers, classroom assistants, learning mentors, Connexions personal advisers, behaviour and education support teams and police officersso that a wide range of people are available to help prevent and tackle bullying.
	Anti-bullying week continues to be a successful event with a large number of schools taking part in November 2005's activities through a wide variety of national and local events. There was a considerable amount of positive press coverage and this year over 325,000 anti-bullying wristbands were distributed.
	Our anti-bullying resource pack for schools Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence, updated in 2000 and Sept 2002 will be revised and re-issued in 2006 to ensure schools have the most up-to-date information available on tackling bullying.
	In addition the Department has recently launched the social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL) curriculum resourcean intervention to develop children's social, emotional and behavioural skills from foundation stage to year 6. It is available to all primary schools and the evidence from the pilot suggests that it helps reduce bullying and promotes positive behaviour generally. It is an important arm of the Department's longer term policy to promote positive behaviour and attendance. The Department is hoping to build on the work carried out in primary schools by providing a similar whole school curriculum based resource for secondary schools (SEES). At present the programme is in a very early pilot stage.
	As data on bullying is not collected centrally, we do not have statistics relating to incidents of bullying in schools across England. We do know however that schools and local authorities are increasingly carrying out local surveys of children and young people's views of bullying to inform the development of their anti-bullying strategies.
	Bullying cases do appear to be reported more often now than before but we have no hard evidence that bullying is increasing or that it is affecting more children. Indeed, as children feel more confident to speak out about bullying it is likely that the number of cases reported will rise.
	We have assessed our anti-bullying strategies in the following ways:
	The Department's 200304 make the difference conference series was an important part of our strategy for sharing effective practice between schools and local authorities. The series was heavily over subscribed and delegates told us that they left feeling inspired and motivated to promote continuing changes and improvement in their schools.
	The overall evaluations for the London conference were 100 percent. positive, and for the series overall 97 percent. positive.
	The web statistics of a workshop used at the Wembley conference reflect the enthusiasm and interest generated by this conference. The number of hits on their site increased to over 20,000 the week following the conference, compared with 48 hits in their own launch week.
	Last year's anti-bullying week was very well supported with a large number of different events taking place across the country. A considerable amount of positive press coverage was received.
	The anti-bullying charter for action that was launched in November 2003 has been signed and returned to the ABA by about 4,000 schools. We believe that other schools have adopted the charter, but have not returned it to the ABA, and that more still have used it as the basis for developing their school anti bullying policies. The Practitioner's Group on behaviour and discipline, which was composed of heads and practitioners expert in the field of school discipline, published its report, Learning Behaviour, in October 2005 outlining best practice in schools, as well as future recommendations. Their report in particular welcomed and endorsed the charter, suggesting that it be re-issued every two years to maintain momentum, a recommendation which we acted upon in anti-bullying week 2005.
	The two anti-bullying public information films (Tell Someone, 2003, and I am, 2004) are the two most watched public information films created by the department. It seems reasonable to assume that such a volume of interest has led to increased awareness, both of the need for children and young people to tell someone if they are being bullied, and of the fact that the person being bullied is not to blame.
	In addition, our guidance to schools on tackling bullying, Don't Suffer in Silence, has been externally evaluated by researchers at Goldsmith's College, University of London. The results, though based on a fairly low response rate from schools, show that the schools found that the pack met their expectations and helped in drawing up their anti-bullying policies. This evaluation included research into the perceived success of the anti bullying strategies and interventions recommended in the guidance. Schools generally reported a high level of satisfaction with the interventions they had used.

Bullying

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what resources she has allocated to the Anti Bullying Alliance in each year since 2003; for what purposes the resources are allocated; and what method of assessment for the effective use of the resources her Department uses.

Jacqui Smith: Funding has been given to the Anti Bullying Alliance from the anti bullying strand of the Improving Behaviour and Attendance strategy since September 2004. For this reason, the grant is provided on an academic year cycle. The figures for the academic years are given as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 2004/05 650,000 
			 2005/06 600,000 
		
	
	This funds a specific programme of work carried out by the ABA to:
	Develop a co-ordinated strategic approach to working with local authorities;
	Direct work with local authorities and, through them, with schools, to promote good practice and develop the knowledge and skills of practitioners in tackling bullying;
	Establish and maintain networks of anti bullying lead officers in local authorities. This includes working with Healthy Schools partnerships, Secondary National Strategy Behaviour and Attendance Consultants, Primary National Strategy teams and individual projects in the statutory and voluntary sectors;
	Support schools by providing access to information, guidance, resources, training and models of good practice;
	Develop innovative, practical approaches to tackling bullying, including the modern menace of bullying by text messaging, email and internet chat;
	Ensure children and young people's participation in the development and implementation of effective approaches through developing effective means of involving children and young people;
	Signpost parents and carers to appropriate services, including making referrals across the Alliance's regional and national network, where all other avenues to resolve the bullying have been exhausted;
	Run an annual national anti bullying week of events and activities in schools across England to teach young people that all forms of bullying are wrong and active ways in which to show no tolerance to it.
	Expenditure by the ABA is subject to formal and informal monitoring to confirm that the grant awarded has been spent in accordance with the project plan agreed by the ABA and the Department.
	The grant is payable under regulation 15 of the Education (Grant) Regulations 1990 and is subject to regulations 18(2) of those regulations.
	We assess the use of resources through auditors' confirmation that the grant has been claimed and used in compliance with the terms and conditions as set out in the grant allocation in year end accounts. This information has been received for 2004/05.
	In addition, officials hold regular meetings with the ABA to monitor activity and review progress. We have monthly monitoring meetings with the national co-ordinator to review progress and have established a steering group for the regional programme. This steering group includes representation from the improving behaviour and attendance unit at the Department, the primary and secondary national strategies behaviour and attendance strands, the Anti Bullying Alliance and the National Healthy Schools Standard programme.

Care Support Services

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support services are available for children leaving care in (a) the Wakefield District and (b) Normanton constituency.

Maria Eagle: The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 imposes a duty on every local authority with social services responsibilities to provide services and support for their care leavers at least until they are 21, or longer if they remain in education or training. Such services must be identified in the pathway plan that must be provided for every care leaver and will be co-ordinated by the young person's leaving care personal adviser. The exact services provided for each individual will depend on their specific assessed needs but includepractical and emotional support, support to access suitable accommodation, support to access education, training and employment and, where necessary, related financial assistance.
	Services to care-leavers in Wakefield have been provided through Signposta partnership between Wakefield Social Services and Barnardo'sfor the past 12 years. Additional partners include Wakefield Supporting People Team and Connexions. Signpost works with between 200 and 230 young people, aged between 16 and 21 (24 if in continuing education) at any one time.

Care Support Services

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of young people who left care in the last 12 months in (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency are in education, training and employment.

Jacqui Smith: The DfES collects information from each local authority with social services responsibilities on the percentage of care leavers aged 19, who were looked after in their 17th year, who are participating in education, training or employment. The most recent data available can be found in Table 10 of the Key Local Authorities Tables published on 31 January 2006 on the following web page: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000615/index.shtml
	This information is not collected for all young people who left care, and is not available at district or constituency level.

Care Support Services

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children left care in the Wakefield district and Normanton constituency in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005; and how many have left care.

Beverley Hughes: The latest available information on children who ceased to be looked after at a local authority level can be found in table 15 of the Department's publication on Children Looked After by Local Authorities, Year Ending 31 March 2004. This can be downloaded from the internet at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DBA/VOL/v000569/index.shtml. This information is not collected centrally at district or constituency level.

Child Care

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what cross-departmental arrangements exist for the formation of child care policy.

Beverley Hughes: My role as Minister for Children involves close working with other departments to develop and deliver the Government's child care policy. The 10-Year Childcare Strategy was developed and published jointly by DfES, HM Treasury, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department for Trade and Industry. Implementation of the strategy is overseen by a high level official led programme board which includes representatives of these Departments, together with Ofsted, Department of Health, and the Office of Deputy Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit also works closely with my department to support the formation and implementation of child care policy. There is close day-to-day working at official level.
	DWP and DfES are jointly accountable for achieving our public service agreement (PSA) targets on child care. The child care strategy also contributes towards the DTI PSA target on Gender Equality.

Child Care

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places have (a) opened and (b) closed in West Lancashire since 2003.

Beverley Hughes: We do not have information at the constituency level.
	The following table shows the numbers of Ofsted-registered child care places opening and closing in the Lancashire county council area since 2003.
	
		
			  Places opening Places closing Net growth 
		
		
			 April 2003 to March 2004 6,695 2,841 3,854 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 7,220 4,603 2,617 
			 April 2005 to December 2005 4,128 2,550 1,578

Child Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research the Department has undertaken to estimate the level of informal child care provision; and what changes there have been in levels of informal child care provision in the last 30 years.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 15 February 2006
	The Department has collected national data on the level of use of informal child care provision since 1999. This information was collected in 1999 and 2001 through the Parents Demand for Childcare surveys and more recently in the 200405 survey Childcare and Early Years Provision: a Study of Parents' Use, Views and Experiences (which is due to be published in March 2006). The Department is currently in the process of commissioning a further three annual surveys (for 2006, 2007 and 2008) in the series Childcare and Early Years Provision: a Study of Parents' Use, Views and Experiences which will continue to collect national data on the level of informal child care provision.
	The Department has not undertaken any research to estimate what changes there have been in levels of use of informal child care provision in the last 30 years. However, research has been undertaken to assess levels of change over the past seven years (since 1999) and this will continue for the next three years (until 2008).

Child Contact

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the future of the New Approaches to Contact Early Intervention Project.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 1001W.

Child Employment

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she has taken on the recommendations on the regulation of child employment contained in the report by the Better Regulation Taskforce.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 14 February 2006
	Guidance has been given to local authorities that directors of Children's Services should have functions relating to child employment as part of their remit, as recommended by the Task Force. No final decisions have been taken on whether and how the Task Force's other specific proposals will be implemented. They will only be implemented to the extent that they can demonstrate a clear contribution to the key outcomes which we want to see for all children, described in our Green Paper Every Child Matters.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what child protection procedures are in place to ensure that community service sentences carried out in schools do not pose a risk to children.

Maria Eagle: It is important that thorough checks are carried out on those people whose work will bring them into contact with children. Some of these checks are mandatory while others are strongly recommended as good practice.
	The Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings guidance issued in June 2005 states that:
	Local authorities, schools and further education institutions should ensure that the terms of any contract they let that requires the contractor to employ staff to work with, or provide services for, children for whom the LA, school or FE institution is responsible also requires the contractor to adopt and implement the measures described in the guidance
	Among other things the measures described include pre appointment checks of List 99 and CRB disclosures.
	Under section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 anyone who is subject to a direction under section 142 of the 2002 Act given on the grounds that they are unsuitable to work with children is also disqualified from working with children. This disqualification is not confined to individuals in paid employment, but also includes unpaid employment, people under contract and volunteers.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many appeals to the tribunal established under section 9 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 against a decision (a) to give a direction or (b) not to vary or revoke a direction under section 142 of the Education Act 2002 there were in each year since 2002; and how many of these appeals were successful in each year.

Maria Eagle: A person who has been barred on the grounds of being unsuitable to work with children may apply to the Care Standards Tribunal for a review where they claim that they are no longer unsuitable to work with children no sooner than ten years after the issue of their direction. A review by the tribunal will be on the grounds of a material change in the circumstances of the person concerned since the earlier direction was given.
	The annual number of appeals, to the Care Standards Tribunal in respect of listing on list 99, lodged in each calendar year is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of appeals 
		
		
			 2002 3 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 3 
			 2005 6 
			 2006 0 
		
	
	The following table shows detail of the decisions taken on appeal cases heard by the Care Standards Tribunal. Three appeals cases have not yet been concluded.
	
		
			 Outcome Number of cases 
		
		
			 Tribunal ordered the individual's name be removed from list 99 2 
			 Tribunal ordered the individual's name be retained on list 99 7 
			 Tribunal ordered the individual's name be retained on list 99 but with restrictions in place 2 
			 Tribunal ordered the individual's case be reviewed on the basis on new evidence 1

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of people included on the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 have been permitted to work under section 142 of the Education Act 2002, subject to (a) circumstances and (b) conditions specified in the direction.

Maria Eagle: There are no people included on the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 permitted to work under section 142 of the Education Act 2002. The Protection of Children Act (PoCA) 1999 ensures that any individual included on the Protection of Children Act list is also fully barred from working in a child care position or an educational institution. The individual's name will also be included on List 99, the list maintained by the Department which prevents individuals from carrying out work to which Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 applies. A person included on the Protection of Children Act list is also disqualified from working with children in a regulated position (including work in an educational institution) under section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of people included on the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 are prohibited from teaching under section 142 of the Education Act 2002.

Ruth Kelly: There are to date currently 1,339 confirmed on the Protection of Children Act list. There are no people included on the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 permitted to work under section 142 of the Education Act 2002. The Protection of Children Act ( PoCA) 1999 ensures that any individual included on the Protection of Children Act list is also fully barred from working in a child care position or an educational institution. The individual's name will also be included on list 99, the list maintained by the Department which prevents individuals from carrying out work to which Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 applies. A person included on the Protection of Children Act list is also disqualified from working with children in a regulated position (including work in an educational institution) under section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether anyone included on the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 is teaching in schools.

Ruth Kelly: The Protection of Children Act (PoCA) 1999 ensures that any individual included on the Protection of Children Act List is also fully barred from working in a child care position in an educational institution. The individual's name will also be included on List 99, the list maintained by the Department which prevents individuals from carrying out work to which Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 applies. Any individual who is included on List 99, on grounds of unsuitability to work with children, or the PoCA List (other than provisionally) is also disqualified from working with children in a regulated position (as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act, including work in an educational institution) pursuant to section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.
	Although employment decisions are matters for individual employers, under section 142(8) and section 143(1) of the Education Act 2002 a relevant employer should not use the services of a person who is subject to direction under section 142 to carry out work in contravention of that direction.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice her Department issues to schools on the interpretation of the criminal record checks of new staff.

Maria Eagle: The guidance Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Young Persons in the Education Service provides advice to employers, including schools, on the interpretation of the criminal record checks. This information is available in paragraphs 4143 and can be found by accessing the Department's teachernet website: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=2172.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) teachers and (b) other staff working in schools have served a prison sentence exceeding one year.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not hold this information.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) teachers and (b) other staff working in schools have a conviction for (i) violence, (ii) illegal drugs and (iii) theft.

Ruth Kelly: The Department does not hold this information.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what regulations apply to private tutors in relation in the safeguarding of children.

Maria Eagle: Where an individual is barred from working with children under section 142 of the Education Act 2002 on the grounds that he or she is unsuitable to work with children, it is a criminal offence to work or seek work in any position that includes training or being in sole charge of a child or children. A person guilty of this offence is liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine and, on indictment, to imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine.
	The Department would strongly advise parents to verify the credentials of any person employed to provide private tuition for a child, particularly if that person is likely to be alone with the child at any time. For example, parents could ask prospective tutors to provide an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau, where one was available, or references from a recent employer.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines her Department has issued on the employment of supply teachers in schools in relation to the safeguarding of children.

Maria Eagle: The Department's guidance Child Protection: Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Young Persons in the Education Service issued in June 2005 provides current advice for employers in the education service on preventing unsuitable people from working with children and young persons.
	We have made it clear that CRB checks are strongly recommended as part of the appointment process for anybody who will be working in a school, further education institution or LEA service and that checks on supply teachers should be made when they are recruited from an employment business or supply agency.
	It is a criminal offence for a person who is disqualified from working with children under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 to apply for, offer to do, accept, or do any work with children in a regulated position, as defined in the Act. That work includes any position in which the normal duties include caring for training, supervising or being in sole charge of children, as well as work in any position involving unsupervised contact with children under arrangements made by a responsible person.
	The Secretary of State's statement on 19 January covered the wider safeguarding agenda, as well as focusing on specific settings.
	Of the immediate policy changes announced in the statement, work is in hand to make on-appointment CRB checks compulsory for all new appointments to the schools work force. This will have a direct read-across to staff provided by supply agencies and we are also looking at other options for further tightening vetting procedures for these staff.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of teachers reported to her Department by the police, in accordance with Annex A, Schedule 2 of Home Office Circular 45/86, since 1997 were included on list 99.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available. There is no central record to identify what proportion of teachers reported to the Department for Education and Skills by the police since 1997 have been included on list 99.
	The Department is not routinely informed of all convictions and cautions incurred by teachers. The Police do not report convictions or cautions for minor offences or traffic offences to the Department. They only report those for offences which call into question the person's suitability to teach or work with children where they know that the person is a teacher or is working with children.

Child Protection

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received on requirements for criminal record checks on those working in (a) crches providing care for a child for less than two hours a day and (b) after-school clubs providing services for children more than eight-years-old; and if she will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I have received no formal representations on requirements for criminal records checks on those working in crches providing child care for less than two hours a day or on after-school clubs providing services for children more than eight-years-old.
	Child care for under eights must register with Ofsted in order to operate, there are exemptions to this rule one of which is that care which is run for less than two hours a day is not required to register.
	The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill, which I announced in my 19 January statement in the House of Commons, will provide the legislative framework for a new vetting and barring scheme. Under the new scheme, employers will be required to check the barred status of all applicants whose job involves working closely with children, including those working in child care not registered by Ofsted.
	The Childcare Bill currently before Parliament will extend the Ofsted registration arrangements to child care providers looking after older children, on a voluntary basis. This means that where a school wishes to provide extended services through a third party we will issue statutory guidance that they only link with Ofsted registered provision.
	For those child care providers who choose not to apply for registration, it will still be necessary for them check that their employees are not barred from working with children, and it will be illegal for them to employ a person so barred.

Children and Family Court Advisory Service

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to improve the (a) service and (b) efficiency of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Maria Eagle: Measures to improve the service and efficiency of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and the savings that are expected to be realised are set out in its 2005/07 Business PlanTransforming ServicesTransforming the Organisation. This is published on the CAFCASS website, at http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/English/Publications/reports/05Dec19BusinessPlan2005.pdf, and a copy will be placed in the Library.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to my Department's Gershon efficiency target, including those secured through efficiency savings made by CAFCASS. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note, and a copy will also be placed in the Library. In most cases, the gains are recyclable to frontline services rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Children's Fund

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to reduce central management costs of the Children's Fund; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Beverley Hughes: As part of my Department's aim to achieve 2.5 per cent. annual efficiency gains across the three years (200506 to 200708) Children's Fund partnerships have been asked to achieve savings by either reducing management costs by 2.5 per cent. of their allocation each year and redeploying these to front line services or achieving a net annual increase of 2.5 per cent. in the number of children and young people receiving regular support from the Children's Fund. Each partnership was required to set out in its delivery plan or in discussions with the Department how the efficiency gains would be achieved and how it would demonstrate their achievement.
	An initial analysis undertaken at the mid year point of 200506 indicated that savings of 3.8 million in Children's Fund Management costs were planned to be made by the end of the year. The actual savings made during 200506 will not be known until after the end of the year (around June 2006) when partnerships have had time to close off their accounts and establish their actual expenditure for the year.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including the reduction of Children's Fund central management costs. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Children's Fund

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the nature of the grants made in 200405 through the children's fund.

Beverley Hughes: In 200405, children's fund grant totalling 160 million was allocated by the Department for Education and Skills to the 149 children's fund partnerships based in each local authority area in England. This grant was used to fund a range of preventative services aimed at children aged five to 13 addressing social exclusion amongst children, young people and their families. Children's fund partnerships are responsible for setting priorities, making funding decisions and commissioning services according to the needs and priorities of the area. The three most commonly targeted groups were children with behaviour difficulties, self-esteem problems and those exhibiting antisocial or criminal behaviour.
	The children's fund helps to ensure that preventative approaches to services and planning are embedded into the practice of all statutory and voluntary services for children and young people.

Children's Services

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many national and regional training sessions, seminars and conferences were held with social care, education and healthcare providers in connection with the Integration of Children's Services during 2005; which Government representatives attended these events; and what the cost of each event was.

Beverley Hughes: In 2005 my Department arranged nine regional conferences on Every Child Matters and the integration of children's services and a number of principle events, details are given as follows:
	
		
			 Event Government representatives who attended Cost () 
		
		
			 9 Every Child Matters: Delivering Change for Children two day regional events. DfES officials 569,608 
			 ECM : Change for Children conference for Chief Executives Minister and DfES officials 44,839 
			 ECM Sure Start and Extended Schools National conference Minister and DfES officials 84,351 
			 Implementing Every Child Matters in two-tier Authorities DfES officials 20,109 
			 The children's trust pathfinder whole systems trust event DfES officials 4,100 
			 9 Safeguarding Regional conferences Minister (one event) and DfES officials 119,000 
		
	
	In addition, DfES officials attended and supported a range of other events on topics relating to Every Child Matters organised by a range of the Department's agencies and stakeholders and other Government Departments. They included a conference on Integrating Services for Disabled Children (delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children); Extended Schools regional briefings (delivered in partnership with the National Remodelling Team); a conference on ECMBeing Active (delivered in partnership with Sport for England); a series of regional learning projects on workforce issues within children's services (delivered in partnership with the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate and Department of Health).

Children's Trusts

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated costs are to (a) her Department and (b) Government agencies of the establishment of each children's trust, broken down by (i) pathfinder trusts and (ii) non-pathfinder trusts.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The Department has paid grants to pathfinder authorities amounting to 9.1 million over the three years 200306 to help with the establishment of children's trusts. Non-pathfinder local authorities received unhypothocated funding of 15 million from my Department's local authority Change Fund grant in 200406 to help them fund various projects, including establishing their children's trusts arrangements. Information on the costs to other Government agencies is not available.

City Academies

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the (a) names of and (b) donations made by sponsors of each city academy.

Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 14 February 2006, Official Report, column 1917W.

Class Sizes

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in (i) England, (ii) Lancashire and (iii) West Lancashire constituency in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information has been placed in the Library.

Climate Change Levy

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what was the cost to her Department of the climate change levy in 200405.

Bill Rammell: The cost of the climate change levy in 2004/05 for the Departments Headquarters buildings was 106,806.

Compensation Claims

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what was the total amount paid out by schools in compensation claims in 200405.

Jacqui Smith: My Department does not collect this information.

Computers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the ratio of children to computers was at each primary school in (a) Kingston and Surbiton, (b) London and (c) England in each of the past 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not collect the data requested for questions (a) and (b) . The national figures for computer to pupil ratios in primary schools in England from 1995 to 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			  Computer to pupil ratios in primary schools 
		
		
			 1996 1:19 
			 1998 1:17.6 
			 1999 1:13.4 
			 2000 1:12.6 
			 2001 1:11.8 
			 2002 1:10.1 
			 2003 1:7.9 
			 2004 1:7.5 
			 2005 1:6.7 
		
	
	A survey was not completed in 1997 and there are no national figures for that year.

Connexions

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment she has made of the performance of Connexions Partnerships.

Maria Eagle: Nationally, Connexions met its last operational target to reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training by 10 per cent. between November 2002 and November 2004. The next set of formal targets is in 2006.
	Of course, performance varies across the country and we continue to monitor progress at individual partnership level. Individual partnerships are subject to periodic formal reviews of performance by their Government Office and during these reviews, weak areas of performance are explored and if appropriate, remedial actions are agreed.
	Government Office reviews also cover the progress that a partnership is making in addressing any areas for improvement identified by Ofsted.
	As Connexions is integrated into children's trusts, performance will be monitored and inspected as part of the wider processes for judging the overall effectiveness of services for children, young people and families.

Creationism

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on the teaching of creationism as a subject in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Neither creationism nor intelligent design is taught as a subject in schools. The national curriculum programme of study for science at key stage 4 covers evolution. It sets out that pupils should be taught that the fossil record is evidence for evolution and also how variation and selection may lead to evolution or extinction. Pupils should however be taught about how scientific controversies can arise from different ways of interpreting empirical evidence. Also, the biblical view of creation can be taught in RE lessons, where pupils are taught to consider opposing theories and come to their own, reasoned conclusions. Therefore, although creationism and intelligent design are not part of the national curriculum, they could be covered in these contexts.

Departmental Projects

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list (a) individuals and (b) companies who have (i) donated money to and (ii) sponsored projects run by her Department where the sum provided was more than 100,000 since 1997; and which projects were supported in each case.

Bill Rammell: Individuals and companies that have donated money to and sponsored projects run by the Department for Education and Skills, where the sum provided is more than 100,000 since 1997 and the projects supported are listed in the following table.
	
		Individual and corporate sponsors of projects over 100,000
		
			 Sponsor Project 
		
		
			 Academy of Contemporary Music Music Manifesto 
			 Adobe and MTV Music Manifesto 
			 Alec Reed West London Academy 
			 Allen and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Foundation National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) (bursaries for disadvantaged/BME NAGTY members to attend NAGTY summer schools and outreach) 
			 Amey plc Unity City Academy 
			 Barclays Bank Sponsorship of Uproject  Presenting sponsor of Launch of Citizenship by the DfES  London Business Challenge  Sponsorship of Uproject summer activities programme 
			 Barry Townsley Stockley Academy 
			 Bell Science Software for National Network of Science Learning Centres 
			 Bob Edmiston Grace Academy 
			 BT Associate sponsor of Launch of Citizenship Connectivity for CCEM  Citizenshipincluding educational resource and awards 
			 Cisco ICT infrastructure for CCEM  Sponsorship of City Academies  1419 Working Group  Internet Business Solutions Group 
			 Corporation of London City of London (Southwark) Academy 
			 David Meller and others Harefield Academy 
			 Deacon's Trust Perkins Engines The Thomas Deacon Academy 
			 Decapo Music Manifesto 
			 Diocese of Liverpool and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool Academy of St. Francis of Assisi 
			 Diocese of Ripon and Leeds David Young Community Academy 
			 Dixons CTC Trust Dixons City Academy 
			 Emmanuel Schools Foundation King's Academy  Trinity Academy 
			 Espresso Education Associate sponsor of Launch of Citizenship 
			   
			 Garrard Education Trust Business Academy, Bexley 
			 Gatsby Foundation Provided contribution for Science Curriculum National Academy for Gifted and Talented Children and sponsorship of teacher training 
			 Giving Campaign Supporter of launch of citizenship by the DfES 
			 Goldman Sachs Foundation National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth 
			 Greig Trust with the London Diocesean Board for Schools Greig City Academy 
			 Harris Charitable Trust The Academy at Peckham 
			 Harris Charitable Trust with The Whitgift Foundation The Harris Academy at South Norwood 
			 Independent /Herald Media sponsorship of CCEM 
			 Jack Petchey Foundation The Petchey Academy 
			 John Laycock and the University of the West of England The City Academy, Bristol 
			 John Madejski The Madejski Academy, Reading 
			 Kellogg's Promote Parents Online and Parents Online Week through Kellogg's Wake up your mind promotion 
			 Leicester Diocesan Board for Education and the Samworth Brothers The Samworth Academy 
			 Liverpool University and Granada Learning North Liverpool City Academy 
			 Macmillan CTC Macmillan Academy 
			 Morgan Stanley Citizenship 
			 Oasis Community Learning The Oasis Academy 
			 Oracle IT Equipment for Specialist Schools 
			 PC World Promotion of Parents Online 
			 Peter Shalson London Academy (Brent) 
			 Philip Green, Marks and Spencer, Next, GUS plc Fashion Retail Academy 
			 Plato Learning National Network of Science Learning Centres 
			 Roger de Haan Charitable Trust with Kent County Council Marlowe Academy 
			 Roger de Haan Charitable Trust with Kings School Canterbury Folkestone Academy 
			 Rolls Royce National Network of Science Learning Centres 
			 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark with the Provincial de la Salle Brothers St. Paul's Academy  St. Matthews Academy 
			 Royal Bank of Scotland Aim Higher Roadshows 
			 Royal National Lifeboat Institution Citizen pack 
			 Sir Clive Bourne Mossbourne 
			 Sir Frank Lowe Capital City Academy 
			 Sun Microsystems ICT Hardware of CCEM 
			 Sutton Trust The Independent/State School Partnership Scheme 
			 The Mercers Company with Thomas Telford Online Walsall City Academy 
			 The Mercers Company with Thomas Telford Online and HSBC Sandwell Academy 
			 Toc H and the Church of England Bradford Academy 
			 UBS The Bridge Academy 
			 Youth Sport Trust The Independent/State School Partnership Scheme 
			 Various businesses (Individuals attending events to learn about the London Business Challenge) London Business Challenge

Departmental Recruitment/Staff

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many job advertisements were placed by her Department (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what (i) total and (ii) average cost in each case.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected centrally in the required format and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Recruitment/Staff

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total number of civil service posts is in (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Standards in Education; and what the numbers were in July 2004.

Maria Eagle: The total number of civil servants currently employed in my Department is 3,784. At 1 July 2004 the number was 4,460.
	HM Chief Inspector, Maurice Smith, has written to the hon. Member insofar as the question relates to Ofsted, and a copy of his letter has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Maurice Smith, dated 14 February 2006
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for reply.
	You asked what the total number of civil service posts was in the Office for Standards in Education; and what the numbers were in July 2004.
	Our establishment figure for 200405 was 2,814 however our actual staffing did not reach this figure because we immediately implemented reductions once the Government's efficiency plans became clear. Our total full time equivalent staffing figure as of 31 December 2005 was 2,280. The equivalent figure at 31 July 2004 was 2,557.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Maria Eagle and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

Disability Equality Schemes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in England have published disability equality schemes.

Maria Eagle: The regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 require local authorities and secondary schools to publish their disability equality scheme by 4 December 2006, and primary schools and special schools by 3 December 2007. The Disability Rights Commission will be providing guidance for schools on the general duty to promote and the specific duties, including the duty to publish a disability equality scheme in the autumn 2006.

Dysfluent Children

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is given to schools regarding children who stammer; and what assessment she has made of services provided to help dysfluent children in schools.

Maria Eagle: The Department has not issued guidance on stammering as such, but we would normally recommend referral to a speech and language therapist where a child is showing signs of stammering.
	In conjunction with the Department of Health, we have commissioned a scoping study to identify good practice in the delivery of speech and language therapy services to children with special educational needs. The study will be undertaken by a team from Canterbury Christ Church University and a report will be submitted to both Departments in August 2006.

Child Protection (Ministerial Statement)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the provisions announced in her Statement of 19 January 2006, Official Report, columns 96670, apply to (a) sixth form colleges, (b) colleges of further education, (c) nurseries and (d) playgroups.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 31 January 2006
	The Government's ambition is to make safeguarding children everyone's business. We want our children to be safe in all settingsand that requires everyone to play their partin Government, as parents, citizens, in the police, local authorities, health bodies, voluntary and private sector organisations.
	The statement on 19 January covered this wider safeguarding agenda, as well as focusing on specific settings where appropriate. List 99 currently covers positions working with children in schools, FE institutions and LEA education services. PoCA covers child care positions in all regulated child care organisations (as defined in the Protection of Children Act 1999) who have a statutory duty to refer the names of individuals who fulfil criteria making them unsuitable to work with children. The Act also permits other organisations, such as voluntary organisations, sports clubs and scout associations to refer those working in child care positions who met the criteria for possible inclusion in the PoCA list.
	Under the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) employers will be able to check the barred status of all those applying to work or working in jobs that bring them into contact with children, including all those with opportunity for contact in key settings in sixth form colleges, further education colleges; those who regularly care for, train, supervise, advise and counsel, provide medical treatment to or are in sole charge of children; and those in key positions of authority. Most employers will be required to check barred status before employing; parents and domestic employers will be able, but not required, to check.
	Of the immediate policy changes announced in the statement, the further work on supply agencies and overseas staff will look across a full range of settings where staff are required to work with children.
	Mandatory CRB checks will be implemented for schools, including sixth form colleges through regulations made under sections 35 and 36 of the Education Act 2002 (and s72 of the School Standards Framework Act (SSFA) 1998)currently the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2003. We will also be looking to apply similar mandatory checks for teachers, tutors and trainers working in FE. Changes announced by the Secretary of State mean that existing arrangements become compulsory for schools through amendments to regulations which will make an on appointment CRB check compulsory for all new appointments of teachers and teaching support staff in further education institutions who have not worked in a further education institution or school for the last three months. It is already a requirement that Childcare for under 8s must register with Ofsted in order to operate. Part of this registration process includes an advanced disclosure to ensure that those working with children are suitable to do so.

Education Act

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many directions made under section 142 of the Education Act 2002 were revoked in each year since 2002.

Maria Eagle: The Secretary of State has the power to review a decision to include a person in list 99 except where a direction was given on the grounds that a person is unsuitable to work with children and that person claims he is no longer unsuitable.
	Where a direction was given on the grounds that an individual was unsuitable to work with children and that individual claims he is no longer unsuitable, the Care Standards Tribunal has power to review the direction.
	A direction may be revoked or varied by the Secretary of State if new information comes to light which is relevant to the original decision to include a person in list 99. The number of directions revoked in each year since 2002 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of directions revoked 
		
		
			 2002 8 
			 2003 12 
			 2004 12 
			 2005 11 
			 2006 1

Education Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the operation of section 159 of the Education Act 2002;
	(2)  how many proprietors were prosecuted for operating unregistered schools in the periods (a) 1991 to 1996, (b) 1997 to 2002 and (c) 2002 to 2006;
	(3)  how many times the Chief Inspector of Schools has exercised her powers under section 159(2) of the Education Act 2002 in each year since its enactment.

Jacqui Smith: The Education Act 2002 defines an independent school as any school that provides full time education for five or more pupils of compulsory school age; or one or more pupils with a statement of special educational need or who is in public care (within the meaning of section 22 of the Children's Act 1989); and is not a school maintained by a local authority or a non-maintained special school. Section 159 (2) of the Education Act 2002 enables the Secretary of State to prosecute the proprietor of an independent school, which meets the definition of an independent school and has not registered with the DfES. In the last 15 years there have been no prosecutions under section 466 of the Education Act 1996 or section 159 of the Education Act 2002.
	No records are kept of the number of times the Chief Inspector of Schools has inspected the premises of schools which may be operating illegally.

Education Funding

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether capital devolved to local education authorities (LEAs) is controlled by (a) LEAs and (b) schools; whether foundation schools have devolved capital allocations directly devolved to them; and what changes to existing arrangements are proposed in the Education White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 February 2006
	Capital is allocated both to local authorities and to schools. Capital allocated to local authorities, known as formulaic funding, is controlled by them and prioritised in accordance with local asset management plans. Other funding, called Devolved Formula Capital (DFC), is controlled by schools. Foundation schools are treated on the same basis as other maintained schools regarding both formulaic allocations and DFC. Other programme allocations; relating to Targeted Capital Fund projects, PFI projects, and Building Schools for the Future projects, are spent by the local authority on the specific schools detailed in bid documentation.
	Regarding DFC, the only exception to schools controlling the funding applies where a local authority is in a Building Schools for the Future programme. In this case, the local authority is given some flexibility to allocate DFC in accordance with schools short-term capital needs. No changes to the existing arrangements are proposed in the Education White Paper.
	DFC guidance, which will shortly be updated for the year commencing 200607, can be accessed on the website www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=8310. Other capital guidance can be accessed on www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/resourcesfinanceandbuildinq//fundinq/capitalinvestment/introduction/

Education Funding

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase flexibility in the use of devolved capital funding.

Jacqui Smith: In the year commencing 200607, devolved capital funding which is allocated to schools as Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) will be made more flexible in two ways. DFC will be increased to incorporate ICT capital funding, formerly paid as a separate funding stream, and schools will be able to determine which proportion of their larger DFC allocation will be spent on ICT. Also, in certain circumstances, schools will be able to save up their DFC for a period in excess of three years where they wish to finance a large capital project. Guidance will be issued shortly.
	No changes are proposed regarding the separate formulaic funding which is allocated to local authorities. This will continue to be spent by local authorities on the priorities set out in their local asset management plans.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students aged 16 to 18 years are in receipt of education maintenance allowance in each institution in Hillingdon Local Education Authority.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate education maintenance allowances for the DfES and hold the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 14 February 2006
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked how many students 1618 years of age are in receipt of educational maintenance allowance in each institution in Hillingdon Local Education Authority?
	Education Maintenance Allowance is available to 1619 years olds in Full-Time Further Education. The number of young people in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance in each institution in Hillingdon Local Education Authority Areas at 30 January is displayed in the attached table.
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question. If you would like further details please contact Chris Bradley at the LSC National Office on 0114 207 4512 or christopher.bradley@lsc.gov.uk

Education Productivity

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what methodology she uses to calculate education productivity.

Jacqui Smith: My Department has not calculated education productivity, but hasas part of the Atkinson Reviewworked with the Office for National Statistics to improve measures of inputs and outputs, which ONS has used to calculate their own estimates of productivity in the compulsory education system. These estimates are, in broad terms, calculated by dividing outputs (measured by pupil numbers adjusted for school absence and the quality of education output) by inputs (measured by deflated education spending). Since there are various ways of measuring quality, ONS has published several estimates of education productivityand the underlying methodologyin Public Service Productivity: Education, in October 2005.
	The link between education inputs and outputs is complex, especially because there are time lags between changes in inputs being fully reflected in outputs. ONS argue that a single number for productivity cannot capture all the costs and benefits of the Government's investment in the education sector. Any estimateshowever calculatedtherefore need to be interpreted alongside other forms of corroborative evidence on inputs and outputs.

Education White Paper

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will publish all the research undertaken to support the structural changes proposed in the White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Jacqui Smith: A wide range of research has informed the White Paper and the policies contained within it.
	All the research commissioned by the Department is published on the Department's website.

Education White Paper

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when her Department will publish the study conducted by the Institute of Education into the Government White Paper on Education.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has not commissioned the Institute of Education to conduct a study on the White Paper.

Efficiency Savings

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the civil service work force reductions targets for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the review.

Bill Rammell: The Department expects to save around 15 per cent. in real terms against its administration budget at the time of the efficiency review as a result of meeting its civil service work force reduction targets. These savings will count against the efficiency review target.

Efficiency Savings

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent.

Bill Rammell: As reported in our Autumn Performance Report, 3.2 billion of our 4.3 billion target is recyclable. This means that resources are freed up from one activity and can be redeployed to other activities; it does not necessarily mean a transfer of resources from one organisation to another. Schools, colleges and other frontline institutions are benefiting from greater investment; and no money will be clawed back from them as part of our efficiency plans. Rather, they will be able to redeploy efficiencies within their own range of activities and to do more with the resources they have.

Efficiency Savings

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what total efficiency savings were achieved by her Department in 200405; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for her Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Bill Rammell: The Department has achieved and measured efficiency gains of some 248 million in 200405. These gains will count towards our efficiency target for 200708 providing the changes are embedded so that efficiencies are maintained or exceeded for the duration of the spending review period.

Efficiency Savings

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what baseline figures she is using for assessing progress on her Department's targets to reduce the total number of (a) civil service posts by 1,460 in her Department and (b) posts in the Office for Standards in Education by 300; what progress has been made towards these targets to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved to date are for these targets.

Bill Rammell: The baseline figure that my Department is using to assess progress on its target to reduce civil service posts by 1,460 is 4,660. To date, staffing has reduced by 876 against this baseline.
	The Office for Standards in Education has committed to reducing by 500 posts. The baseline figure to assess progress on this target is 2,814. This figure differs from that given in our Efficiency Technical Note (ETN) as a result of more detailed work carried out since publication. The figure in the ETN will be altered to reflect this in the imminent update. To date staffing has reduced by 534 against the baseline.
	The Department is reporting progress towards its overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report, which we expect to publish in April.

Efficiency Savings

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what interim targets she has set for achieving (a) the agreed efficiency target for her Department and (b) the civil service workforce reductions targets for (i) gross reductions in posts, (ii) net reductions in posts and (iii) relocations for her Department, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review; what the baseline figures are against which these interim targets are assessed; on what dates they will take effect; and by what dates these interim targets are intended to be met.

Bill Rammell: The Department's efficiency target is 4.3 billion by 200708. It has not set interim targets but aims to progress in three equal steps: we have set milestones of 1.4 billion in 200506, 2.9 billion in 200607 and 4.3 billion in 200708.
	The Department's civil service workforce target is to reduce by 1,460 staff by 31 March 2008 from its October 2003 baseline; there is a departmental interim target to reduce by 850 staff from the baseline by 31 March 2006, which has recently been achieved. There is no net reduction target.
	Following the Spending Review 2004, my Department and sponsored organisations are committed to implementing the Lyons Review recommendation to relocate around 800 posts from the Department and its non-department public bodies out of London and the south east by 2010. By April 2006 around 406 posts will have been relocated. There are no further interim targets confirmed; DfES and its NDPBs are working up plans for further relocations up to 2010.

E-learning

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures have been taken to extend the use of e-learning in further education colleges; and what effect these measures have had on staff/class contact time.

Phil Hope: Since 1999 over 200 million has been invested in the Post 16 sector to support effective use of technology, initially through the National Learning Network and more recently through the Post 16 e-learning programme. The focus of the investment has been on:
	Providing and improving network infrastructure.
	Developing e-learning content and resources for teaching and learning.
	Developing a programme of support, information and training for the sector work force.
	Outcomes from this investment include:
	All FE, specialist and sixth form colleges now have broadband internet connection through the JANET network.
	The ratio of internet connected computers per student has improved from 1:21 in 1999 to 1:4 in 2005.
	Over 550 hours of e-learning materials, across 13 curriculum areas, have been created and are available to the sector work force.
	Our current focus is on ensuring that FE college work force becomes competent and confident in using technology to support teaching and learning, as part of the wider Standards Unit work force development strategy.
	We do not have any information on the impact these measures have had on staff/class contact time.

E-learning

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of maintained schools offer access to e-learning resources both in and out of school.

Phil Hope: All schools offer access to e-learning resources within the school and the range of resources continues to grow. In 2004 (the latest year for which data is available) 94 per cent. of secondary schools and 55 per cent. of primary schools made their ICT facilities available to pupils outside school hours. Also, 20 per cent. of secondary schools and 6 per cent. of primary schools operated a computer loan scheme for their pupils.

Estate Modernisation

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent steps she has taken to modernise the further education estate; and what assessment she has made of the effect on costs of these measures.

Bill Rammell: The Government set out the resources available for capital investment in the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) annual grant letter. Funding will rise to 468.8 million in 200607. The majority of this budget is allocated to colleges by the LSC to invest in the modernisation of the estate. This investment helps secure efficiencies as higher quality, more flexible premises offer improvements in both running costs and floor space utilisation relative to the volume of learner activity.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including through modernisation of the FE estate. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April.

Eton

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what investigations are planned to be undertaken into the assertion by Ms Sarah Forsyth, formerly a teacher at Eton, that she helped with cheating for pupil qualification; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Ms Forsyth's assertion that she helped with cheating for pupil qualification was thoroughly investigated by Edexcel, the awarding body involved, at the time that it was made in accordance with agreed procedures. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority statutory regulations and the A level code of practice require awarding bodies to investigate any instances of alleged malpractice and take such action as is necessary to maintain the integrity of the examination. The awarding body investigation found no evidence to substantiate Ms Forsyth's assertion and the case was subsequently closed.

European Institute of Technology

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on the proposals put forward by the European Commission to establish a European institute of technology.

Bill Rammell: We are interested in any proposals that result in adding value to European universitiespromoting excellence and ensuring Europe is prepared to respond to the challenge of globalisation. The UK response to the Commission's consultation on the idea of setting up a European Institute of Technology is available in the Library of the House.

Examination Efficiency

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to improve the efficiency of public examinations; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Jacqui Smith: My Department is funding the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to deliver the exams modernisation programme. The programme focuses on effective delivery of public examinations in schools and colleges. It provides support to staff in schools and colleges to administer exams. In addition, it aims to secure the timely delivery of exam scripts to examiners, address any examiner shortage issues and improve and promote the quality of assessment.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including the administration of public examinations. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April.

Expertise Sharing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list examples of the sharing of expertise between special and mainstream schools, referred to on page 55 of the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Maria Eagle: There are many examples of special and mainstream schools working together to share expertise across the country. Some of these can be found in the Report of the Special Schools Working Group at www.teachernet.gov.uk/sen and in a report of a study undertaken on behalf of the Special Educational Needs Regional Partnership (South West) at www.sw-special.co.uk

External Consultants

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has paid since 2004 to external consultants who had previously been employed by the Department in any capacity within the previous five years.

Maria Eagle: Details of the fees paid to external consultants engaged since 2004 who have previously been employed by my Department within the previous five years, are not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Consultancy in this context is defined as investigating problems, providing analysis or advice, or assisting with the development of new systems, new structures or new capabilities within the organisation.

External Courses

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list external courses to which section 8.14 of her Department's Resource Accounts 200405 refers.

Bill Rammell: The summary information in section 8.14 of the 200405 Resource Accounts is drawn from the Department's accounting system. The Department has delegated responsibility for all aspects of external training to line managers and no central record of courses attended is maintained. The information requested could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

External Security Services

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of schools that are regularly patrolled by an external security service.

Jacqui Smith: We do not have an estimate of the number of schools using private security patrols. However, guidance on their use is contained in our Managing School Facilities Guide 4, Improving Security in Schools.

Foundation Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1959W, on schools, how many and what proportion of foundation schools currently have a foundation.

Jacqui Smith: We do not hold this information centrally: foundation schools with a foundation are not a distinct category of schools, and so are not identified separately on the register of schools. However, based on information supplied by local authorities, we understand that 96 foundation schools have foundations, comprising around 11 per cent. of the total number of foundation schools.

Further Education

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to paragraph 54 of Priorities for Success, which courses that currently carry nine or fewer guided learning hours she plans to subsume into larger courses and fund; and from which courses of nine or fewer guided learning hours she intends to withdraw funding.

Bill Rammell: The Department has no plans to issue guidance on this matter. Individual colleges and providers will decide how to re-organise their provision in light of the funding changes to be introduced and the priorities they agree with their local Learning and Skills Council.

Further Education

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of adult further education 19 plus students in (a) 200405 and (b) 200506 were (i) full-time and (ii) part-time.

Bill Rammell: In 2004/05 there were 3,477,000 learners aged 19+ in further education (FE) funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Of these learners 11 per cent. (366,000) were full-time 1 and the remaining 89 per cent. (3,111,000) part-time.
	Figures for 2005/06 are not yet available as the LSC academic year which spans 1 August to 31 July has not finished. Initial estimatesbased on the numbers enrolled on October 1 2005will be published in the Statistical First Release (SFR) Further Education, Work-Based Learning for Young People and Adult and Community LearningLearner Numbers in England on 1 October 2005' by the LSC on 23 March 2006. Full-year figures for 2005/06 are likely to be published in December 2006.
	1 Full-time students are defined as those enrolled on programmes of at least 450 guided learning hours per year, or for at least 150 guided learning hours per tri-annual period or more than 16 guided learning hours per week for shorter courses.

Further Education

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of adult further education 19 plus students were (a) employed, (b) self-employed, (c) unemployed and (d) economically inactive in (i) 200405 and (ii) 200506.

Bill Rammell: The following table shows estimates of the proportion of adult further education 19+ students who were (a) employed, (b) self-employed, (c) unemployed and (d) economically inactive in 200405. Data come from the Labour Force Survey, winter 200405.
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Employed 68 
			 Self-employed 7 
			 Unemployed 4 
			 Economically inactive 21 
		
	
	Note:
	As with all sample surveys the estimates presented in this table are subject to sampling variability.
	Figures in the table are based on survey responses within the period December 2004 to February 2005. Estimates for the full academic year are not available from the Labour Force Survey. However, they may differ from the snapshot presented here as they will include a higher proportion of part-time learners.
	Figures for 200506 are not yet available. The Labour Force Survey for winter 200506 will be published in mid April 2006.

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to improve the performance of pupils who attain fewer than five GCSEs or equivalent at grade A* to G.

Jacqui Smith: 2005 results show that 89 per cent. of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A*-G, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared with 2004. 96.4 per cent. (nearly 614,000) pupils reached school leaving age with a pass of some kind, an increase of 0.5 percentage point on 2004.
	The Department has a number of initiatives to ensure that schools receive the resources, advice and support that they need to raise attainment further at Key Stage 4. The Key Stage 3 National Strategy has extended to become a full Secondary National Strategy for School Improvement designed to raise standards for all secondary school pupils, including low attaining pupils. In addition, we are also drawing on the expertise of successful schools and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust to work in partnership with around 400 schools underperforming in value added terms.
	The Government's White PaperHigher Standards, Better Schools for Allset out our commitment to an extra investment of 565 million by 2007/08 to support personalisation in primary and secondary schools, focussing particularly on helping children who have fallen behind in English and mathematics. A further 60 million will be available in each of the next two years to provide effective one-to-one and small group tuition for the lowest attaining pupils.
	In the 1419 Education and Skills White Paper we announced the introduction of specialised diplomas. These will be available to young people from age 14 and will provide a high quality, broad-based education, including functional and wider employability skills, but with a strong focus on applied learning. The first pilots will start in 2008.
	We also proposed a work-focused programme to motivate 14 to 16-year-olds with relatively low attainment, who are at risk of serious disaffection, building on the lessons of the Entry to Employment programme for 16 to 19-year-olds. Pilots are to start from 2006/07.

GCSEs

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of pupils in (a) each Fresh Start school achieved five or more GCSE passes in 200405 and (b) in each of the schools they replaced in the final year of their operation; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The following tables show the numbers and percentages of 15-year-olds achieving five or more passes at GCSE or equivalent level at grades A* to C and A* to G in Fresh Start schools in 2005 and in the schools they replaced in their last year of operation. The Fresh Start initiative was introduced in 1998 to help pupils in schools which were facing intractable problems. Overall the initiative has been a success. The majority of Fresh Start schools have had successful Ofsted inspections.
	The National Audit Office in their report Improving poorly performing schools in England (January 2006) found that the nine secondary Fresh Start schools
	that had reached their fifth year were on average doing more than twice as well as their predecessor schools in terms of the proportion of pupils achieving five A*-C grade GCSEs.
	
		2005 GCSE results for Fresh Start schools and their predecessor schools in their last year of operation
		
			  2005   
			  New school name Number of 15-year-old pupils(118) Number of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE and equivalent Percentage of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-C including GCSE equivalents Former school(s) name Last operational year Number of 15-year-old pupils(118) Number of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ Percentage of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-C including GCSE/GNVQ 
		
		
			 All Saints College 146 58 40 Firfield 1998 0 0 0 
			 Blakelaw 1998 61 4 7 
			 Fir Vale School 132 52 39 Earl Marshal School 1998 92 9 10 
			 The King's CE School 142 52 37 Regis County 1998 129 38 29 
			 Park View Academy 224 104 46 The Langham 1998 177 23 13 
			 Islington Arts and Media 135 59 44 George Orwell School 1999 90 16 18 
			 Kingswood High School 185 83 45 Perronet Thompson School 1999 168 13 8 
			 New College Leicester 252 26 10 New Parks Community College 1999 127 17 13 
			 Bishopsford Community School 159 33 21 Watermeads High School 1999 108 14 13 
			 River Leen School 150 44 29 Alderman Derbyshire School 1999 100 11 11 
			 Kings High School 85 22 26 Kingsleigh 2000 77 8 10 
			 Corby Community College149 28 19 Queen Elizabeth 2000 92 7 8 
			 Beanfield 2000 86 7 8 
			 Parkwood High School116 38 33 Herries 2000 99 14 14 
			 Kings College 122 61 50 Kings Manor 2000 79 8 10 
			 Highcrest Community School90 36 40 Hatters Lane School 2001 67 15 22 
			 The Hadden Park High School 179 42 33 Glaisdale 2001 133 8 6 
			 Hinde House 175 56 32 Bracken Hill 2002 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Jubilee High School 92 28 30 Abbeylands School 2002 99 25 25 
			 Gateway Community 204 25 12 Torrells 2003 118 36 31 
			 St. Chads 2003 99 10 10 
			 Rushall Community 69 12 17 Manor Farm Community School 2003 102 15 15 
		
	
	Note:
	Hinde House is an all through 316 school with GCSE results but Bracken Hill was a primary school.
	
		
			  2005   
			 New school name Number of 15-year-old pupils(118) Number of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-G at GCSE and equivalent Percentage of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-G including GCSE equivalents Former school(s) name Last operational year Number of 15-year-old pupils(118) Number of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-G at GCSE/GNVQ Percentage of 15-year-olds achieving 5+ A*-G including GCSE/GNVQ 
		
		
			 All Saints College 146 94 64 Firfield 1998 0 0 0 
			 Blakelaw 1998 61 36 59 
			 Fir Vale School 132 22 92 Earl Marshal School 1998 92 73 79 
			 The King's CE School 142 27 89 Regis County 1998 129 117 91 
			 Park View Academy 224 184 82 The Langham 1998 177 117 64 
			 Islington Arts and Media 135 106 79 George Orwell School 1999 90 67 74 
			 Kingswood High School 185 141 76 Perronet Thompson School 1999 168 117 70 
			 New College Leicester 252 145 58 New Parks Community College 1999 127 71 56 
			 Bishopsford Community School 159 138 87 Watermeads High School 1999 108 83 77 
			 River Leen School 150 102 68 Alderman Derbyshire School 1999 100 81 81 
			 Kings High School 85 71 84 Kingsleigh 2000 77 51 66 
			 Corby Community College149 89 60 Queen Elizabeth 2000 92 63 68 
			 Beanfield 2000 86 55 64 
			 Parkwood High School116 94 81 Herries 2000 99 77 78 
			 Kings College 122 94 77 Kings Manor 2000 79 64 81 
			 Highcrest Community School90 85 94 Hatters Lane School 2001 67 57 85 
			 The Hadden Park High School 179 113 63 Glaisdale 2001 133 66 50 
			 Hinde House 175 148 85 Bracken Hill 2002 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Jubilee High School 92 71 77 Abbeylands School 2002 99 77 78 
			 Gateway Community 204 150 74 Torrells 2003 118 100 85 
			 St. Chads 2003 99 64 65 
			 Rushall Community 69 34 49 Manor Farm Cornmunity School 2003 102 71 70 
		
	
	(118) Age calculated at start of academic year.
	Note:
	Hinde House is an all through 316 school with GCSE results but Bracken Hill was a primary school.

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students in maintained schools gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C in each year since 1995.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested can be found in the following table. Figures for all schools have been provided for comparison.
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(119) achieving five or more GCSEs or equivalent(120) at grades A*-C in each year since 1994/95(121)
		
			 Academic year All maintained schools(122) All schools 
		
		
			 1994/95 40.2 43.5 
			 1995/96 41.5 44.5 
			 1996/97 42.2 45.1 
			 1997/98 43.5 46.3 
			 1998/99 45.3 47.9 
			 1999/2000 46.7 49.2 
			 2000/01 47.5 50.0 
			 2001/02 49.1 51.6 
			 2002/03 50.7 52.9 
			 2003/04 51.5 53.7 
			 2004/05 54.2 56.3 
		
	
	(119) Age at start of academic year i.e. 31 August.
	(120) Figures from 1994/95 to 2002/03 include GCSEs/GNVQs. Figures from 2003/04 include GCSE and other equivalent qualifications approved pre-16.
	(121) Includes achievements for these pupils in previous academic years.
	(122) Including community and foundation special schools, hospital schools and pupil referral units.

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1133W, on examination results, how many and what proportion of pupils who achieved any five A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent including a full intermediate GNVQ would have achieved this level even if they had not taken the GNVQ.

Jacqui Smith: Revised figures for 2005 (further to the answer of the 7 February 2006) show that of the 636,796 15-year-old 1 pupils on roll in 2005, 8.7 percent. achieved 5+ A*-C grades at GCSE and equivalent including a full intermediate GNVQ. Of the 358,413 pupils who achieved any 5+ A*-C grades in 2005, 15.4 percent. achieved this level including a full intermediate GNVQ.
	Of the 55,244 15-year-old pupils who achieved 5+ A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent including a full intermediate GNVQ 33,445 (60.5 percent.) would still have achieved this level even if they had not taken the GNVQ.
	1 Age at the beginning of the academic year (i.e. 31 of August).

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 15-year-olds (a) sat and (b) obtained a GCSE at A*-C in a foreign language in each year since 2000, broken down by local educational authority.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested on modern foreign language results at local authority level has been placed in the House Library.

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of 15-year-olds achieved one or more GCSE at grades A* to C in each year since 1996.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested on the number of 15-year-olds achieving at least one GCSE or equivalent grade A*-C can be found as follows.
	
		15-year-old pupils(123) achieving 1+ A*-C grade GCSEor equivalent(124)
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1996 417,148 70.2 
			 1997 413,859 70.5 
			 1998 410,469 71.4 
			 1999 421,590 72.6 
			 2000 427,272 73.6 
			 2001 446,619 74.0 
			 2002 456,074 75.2 
			 2003 470,481 75.6 
			 2004 488,112 75.8 
			 2005 493,575 77.5 
		
	
	(123) Pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year
	(124) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalencies and from 2004 equivalencies approved for use pre 16

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will list the local education authorities where fewer than 90 per cent. of 15-year-olds attained five or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A* to G in 200405;
	(2)  if she will list the local education authorities where fewer than 90 per cent. of 15-year-olds were entered for five or more GCSEs or equivalent in 200405;
	(3)  if she will list the local education authorities where fewer than 90 per cent. of 15-year-olds attained five or more GCSEs or equivalent including English and mathematics at grades A* to G in 200405;
	(4)  if she will list the local education authorities where fewer than 75 per cent. of 15-year-olds attained one or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A* to C in 200405.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of 15 year olds were entered for qualifications equivalent to five or more GCSEs in each year since 1996.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested on the number of 15-year-olds entered for at least five GCSE or equivalent can be found as follows.
	
		15-year-old pupils(125) entered for 5+ GCSEs or equivalent(126)
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1996 530,304 89.3 
			 1997 525,572 89.6 
			 1998 515,401 89.6 
			 1999 525,077 90.4 
			 2000 527,132 90.8 
			 2001 547,812 90.8 
			 2002 552,719 91.1 
			 2003 568,643 91.4 
			 2004 594,679 92.4 
			 2005 589,410 92.6 
		
	
	(125) Pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year.
	(126) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalencies and from 2004 equivalencies approved for use pre 16.

GCSEs

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in Peterborough achieved five or more A*-C grades at GCSE in 2005.

Jacqui Smith: The figures requested are shown in the following table.
	
		15-year-olds pupils(127) achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent, 2005
		
			 Maintained schools only Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Parliamentary constituency of Peterborough(128) 726 54.2 
			 City of Peterborough local authority 1,154 53.5 
		
	
	(127) Age at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August)
	(128) Pupils attending schools located in Peterborough constituency

General Teaching Council

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1134W, on the General Teaching Council, what proportion of the cases referred to the General Teaching Council in each year since 2001 were (a) recommended for a full formal hearing before (i) a professional conduct committee and (ii) a professional competence committee hearing and (b) not recommended for a full formal hearing; and what proportion of those that were recommended for a formal hearing have been dealt with by the relevant committees.

Jacqui Smith: According to information provided by the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE), the number of cases recommended by the Investigating Committee to proceed to a disciplinary hearing in each financial year was as follows:
	
		Number
		
			 Financial year Professional Conduct Committee Professional Competence Committee All cases 
		
		
			 200102 6 4 10 
			 200203 32 5 37 
			 200304 32 4 36 
			 200405 59 18 77 
			 200506(129) 105 14 119 
			 Total 234 45 279 
		
	
	(129) To 31 January 2006
	The number of disciplinary cases heard and concluded in each financial year was as follows:
	
		Number
		
			 Financial year Professional Conduct Committee Professional Competence Committee All cases 
		
		
			 200102 1 2 3 
			 200203 16 4 20 
			 200304 39 4 43 
			 200405 34 6 40 
			 200506(130) 38 15 53 
			 Total 128 31 159 
		
	
	(130) To 31 January 2006
	Cases referred to the Council, or onward to an Investigating Committee or hearing, towards the end of a financial year may be dealt with in the following financial year. 120 cases recommended by the Investigating Committee are awaiting completion; either being part-heard, scheduled but not heard, or not as yet scheduled.
	As of 31 January 2006, the total number of cases that were referred to the GTCE since 2001 that have not been referred for hearings is 813. This figure does not include 140 cases that have not yet been considered by the Investigating Committee which could be referred for hearings, found as having no case to answer, or referred to the Department for Education and Skills.

Geography Development Fund

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the planned allocation of resources from the Geography Development Fund in 200607.

Jacqui Smith: The Geography Focus Group has made recommendations for action, following discussion and consultation within the geography community. We are now considering proposals for a Geography Action Plan. No decisions have been taken about allocation of resources to support the teaching and learning of geography in schools in 200607.

Gershon Review

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will set out the changes in staffing (a) levels and (b) patterns made in response to the Gershon Review's conclusions.

Jacqui Smith: The information is as follows:
	(a) My Department is committed to achieving a total of 1,460 staff reductions by end March 2008 in response to the Gershon Review. As at 1 February 2006 my Department has reduced by 876 staff since the October 2003 baseline.
	(b) In October 2003, 87 per cent. of my Department's staff were employed full time and 13 per cent. part-time; the current percentages are 85 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively.

Gershon Review

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the implications of the Education White Paper for compliance with the Gershon Review of Public Expenditure.

Jacqui Smith: The proposals in the White Paper are not expected to have an adverse impact on meeting the Gershon efficiency targets. The Department will continue to provide guidance and assistance to all schools to help them improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which they use their resources, so as to drive up standards for all pupils, and we shall expect local authorities to do the same.
	The Department will continue to promote greater value for money in the broad areas of procurement of goods and services, procurement and use of ICT, management of resources within schools, and deployment of staff through the continuation of workforce reform.

GNVQs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of pupils aged 15 years were entered for GNVQs in the last academic year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what proportion of pupils achieved (a) five GCSEs A*-C grades and (b) five GCSEs A*-C grades including English and mathematic with a GNVQ award in the last academic year;
	(3)  what proportion of pupils in (a) community schools, (b) foundation schools, (c) voluntary aided schools and (d) voluntary controlled schools were entered for GNVQs in the last academic year;
	(4)  what proportion of pupils who achieved five GCSEs A*-C grades in (a) community schools, (b) foundation schools, (c) voluntary aided schools and (d) voluntary controlled schools did so by gaining a GNVQ in the last year for which figures are available;
	(5)  what proportion of pupils who achieved five GCSEs A*-C grades including English and mathematics in (a) community schools, (b) foundation schools, (c) voluntary aided schools and (d) voluntary controlled schools did so by gaining a GNVQ in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is presented in the following table.
	
		Percentages of 15-year-old pupils achieving described thresholds at GCSE and equivalent in 2005
		
			  All schools Community schools(131) Foundation schools(131) Voluntary aided Schools(131) Voluntary controlled schools(131) 
		
		
			 Number of pupils 636,796 371,727 95,704 82,603 20,504 
			 Percentage of pupils assessed as pass, merit, distinction or fail at GNVQ(132) 10.0 11.0 11.7 10.6 4.3 
			 Percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent 56.3 51.6 61.8 64.0 62.9 
			 Percentage of pupils who achieved 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent who did so by gaining a GNVQ 8.5 9.2 10.3 9.3 3.6 
			 Percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent including English and maths 44.3 38.9 49.9 51.4 52.7 
			 Percentage of pupils who achieved 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and maths who did so by gaining a GNVQ 4.6 4.7 6.1 5.2 1.7 
		
	
	(131) Consistent with statistical publications, figures for specific school types do not include results of special schools.
	(132) The Department does not have information on numbers of GNVQ entries, only on GNVQ results; these figures include those pupils whose results were: pass, merit, distinction or fail.

Grammar Schools

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many grammar schools (a) with and (b) without sixth forms are (i) community schools, (ii) voluntary aided schools, (iii) voluntary controlled schools and (iv) foundation schools; and what proportion of pupils gained (A) five GCSEs A*C and (B) five GCSEs A*-C including English and mathematics in each category of grammar school in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested on grammar school results can be found in the following table, all grammar schools had sixth forms.
	
		GCSE and equivalent achievements of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4(133) in grammar schools with sixth forms, 2004/05
		
			  Number of schools(134) Percentage achieving 5+ A*C Percentage achieving 5+ A*-C including English and mathematics 
		
		
			 Community 41 97.4 95.9 
			 Voluntary Aided 33 98.6 97.5 
			 Voluntary Controlled 13 98.0 97.2 
			 Foundation 77 98.1 96.8 
		
	
	(133) Pupils on roll at the end of Key Stage 4 in the 2004/05 academic year
	(134) Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Head Teachers

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment her Department has made of the level of morale among head teachers.

Jacqui Smith: Current indicators suggest that head teacher morale is generally good. A recent independent MORI survey published in 2005, found that the majority of head teachers were positive about their leadership role: nine in 10 said they felt confident in what they did and enjoyed it. However, we know the job is challenging which is why we have the NCSL to support and develop school leaders.

Higher Education (Pay)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance was given to the Higher Education Funding Council for England on how the second round of Rewarding and Developing Staff funding should be allocated to higher education institutions.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 6 February 2006
	The Department's guidance to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on the allocation of round 2 Rewarding and Developing Staff (RDS) funding was included in the 22 January 2003 Grant Letter to HEFCE, as follows:
	The 170 million will be consolidated into institutions' core grants from 2004- 05 and, in addition, I am making available an extra 50 million in 200405 and 117 million in 200506. I expect the Council to make the new funding conditional on universities and colleges continuing to develop and implement their human resource strategies, and in particular on their taking steps to move towards market supplements or other means of recruiting and retaining staff of the right calibre; and committing themselves to rewarding good performance. I am particularly concerned that good teaching should be identified and rewarded. The Council should also make clear that postdoctoral and other researchers should be included in these strategies. Therefore the Council should ask each institution to revise its human resource strategy to focus on these points, and reiterate the need for improvements in equal opportunities for higher education staff. Where the Council is satisfied that the strategy is sound and is being implemented properly, I look to the Council to add the additional funding to that institution's baseline. Where the Council has doubts, the additional funding should remain earmarked until the revised human resources strategy and its implementation satisfy the Council.
	In accordance with this guidance, HEFCE asked HEIs to submit extended plans to encompass the additional priorities, including approaches to teaching career progression and recognition schemes for relevant staff groups, as well as consolidating work on human resource systems arising from the round 1 investment.
	Allocation of funding to HEIs
	For both rounds of funding, HEFCE allocated the RDS fund to each HEI on a formula basis. Round 1 was based on the institution's teaching and research funding in the previous year, and round 2 based on teaching funding only. Each institution determined its own spend across the identified priority areas.

Higher Education (Pay)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what sum has been allocated under the Rewarding and Developing Staff initiative to the Higher Education Funding Council for England's priority area of implementing institutions-wide job evaluation to tackle unequal pay; and what proportion of total Rewarding and Developing Staff funds from rounds 1 and 2 this represents.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 6 February 2006
	The aim of the Rewarding and Developing Staff (RDS) initiative has been to enable higher education institutions (HEIs) to develop their human resource (HR) capability. To secure allocations of funding under round 1 of the initiative (200102 to 200304), HEIs were asked to submit human resource strategies to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Institutions were asked to address six priority areas: recruitment and retention; staff development and training; equal opportunities targets (including plans for job evaluation); reviews of staffing needs; performance review; and tackling poor performance.
	For both rounds of funding, HEFCE allocated the RDS fund to each HEI on a formula basis. Round 1 was based on the institution's teaching and research funding in the previous year, and round 2 based on teaching funding only. Each institution determined its own spend across the identified priority areas.
	Round 1 and 2 expenditure
	KPMG was commissioned by HEFCE to undertake an evaluation of round 1 of the scheme (200102 to 200304), its main objective being to assess the impact of the initiative on the development of HR management. KPMG's findings were that the distribution of expenditure between the six priority areas was as follows.
	
		
			  Proportion of expenditure (all HEIs) (200102 to 200304) 
			 Priority area  million Percentage 
		
		
			 Staff training and development 82.5 25 
			 Recruitment and retention 66 20 
			 Analysis of staffing needs 59.4 18 
			 Equal Opportunities 42.9 13 
			 Annual Performance Reviews 19.8 6 
			 Poor Performance 13.2 4 
			 Sub-total 283.8 86 
			 Not specified 46.2 14 
			 Total 330 100 
		
	
	Note:
	Data derived from HEIs' Annual Monitoring Statements.
	It is not possible to identify separately expenditure on job evaluation which is included in the category Equal Opportunities, though the KPMG report identified that 85 per cent. of HEIs were implementing or piloting a job evaluation scheme during round 1. Further details of the KPMG evaluation report can be found at http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2005/rd14_05/ Analysis of expenditure in round 2, which finishes in July 2006, will be published in 2007.

Higher Level Teaching Assistants

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many higher level teaching assistants are working in (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each local education authority.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of staff working as higher level teaching assistants (HLTA) in schools is not available. The latest data from the Training and Development Agency for Schools show that approaching 9,300 people have achieved HLTA status to date.

Home-Start

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the role of Home-Start in supporting families; how much funding will be provided for Home-Start in 200607; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Home-Start is a voluntary organisation helping families, with at least one child under five, who are facing serious difficulties. It matches parents with trained volunteers who provide friendship, practical and emotional support. Additionally, where families have more complex needs, Home-Start volunteers are able to refer families on to appropriate service providers.
	To date Home-Start have worked with over with 25,000 families and over 55,000 children through a network of 245 community based schemes in the UK. We have increased our funding for Home-Start UK to enable the continued delivery of high quality home visiting support to families, from 874,000 in 200304 to 2.73 million for 200607.

Human Resources Strategy

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what was the cost of developing the human resource strategy Delivering Through People; which consultancies were involved; what projects have followed; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Department's HR Strategy Delivering Through People was launched in April 2003 following consultation with key stakeholders, including staff at all grades and trade union side.
	The Strategy was well received with widespread support for the need to develop a HR vision for the Department that would enable the challenges set out in the Department's Strategic Framework to be met.
	The Strategy was developed, consulted on and implemented by the Department's HR Strategy team, all of whom were permanent employees, as part of their responsibilities at an approximate cost of 30,000. No external consultants were involved at any stage of the project, and there were no other direct costs involved.
	The Strategy was, and continues to be, embedded through a wide range of projects, supported by a Corporate Services Portfolio Board, and HR Business Partners to support the delivery of the Department's five year strategy for Children and Learners.

Immigrant Children

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding was provided to support newly arrived immigrant children in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will take steps to increase such funding.

Jacqui Smith: Funding is available from three sources: local authority allocations of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG); the Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG); and Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers Carers (UASC) Grant. The formula used to calculate Schools Formula Spending Share for 200506 and previous years took account of the extra spending needed by those authorities with populations of children for whom English is an additional language, and from low performing ethnic groups. Approximately 435 million of the 24.6 billion Schools FSS for 200506 was distributed on the basis of numbers of children in these two categories. Since the formula for Dedicated Schools Grant starts from local authorities' spending on schools for 200506, that will also take account of the extra spending needed by authorities with such children. There will be increases in allocations of Dedicated Schools Grant per pupil of 6.8 per cent. and 6.7 per cent. for 200607 and 200708. The formula for distributing Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant also uses the proportion of children for whom English is an additional language, and from low performing ethnic groups. The total amount of funding for EMAG was: for 200506, 168 million; for 200607, 174 million and for 200708, 179 million. The figure for 200506 includes local authority matched funding; the figures for 200607 and 200708 are DfES grant, and reflect the transfer of matched funding from Dedicated Schools Grant for those years. We made available 11 million of UASC Grant in 200506, and plan to make available 12 million in 200607 and 200708. The grant is paid retrospectively in line with the number of UASC care leavers supported by each local authority.

Information and Communication Technology

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to increase the use of information and communication technology in higher education; and what assessment she has made of the effect on costs of these steps.

Phil Hope: We have been encouraging and supporting the use of information and communication technology in higher education. Our strategy for the use of ICT across the whole education sector, including higher education, for the next five years and beyond was published last March in Harnessing Technology: Transforming learning and children's services. The primary objective of using ICT in higher education is to improve and enhance the way institutions fulfil their objectives for providing high quality teaching, learning and research, and all investment decisions will have been judged to be cost-effective.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including savings that accrue from the increased use of ICT. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April.

Interoperable Tools

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the cost of developing standards (a) relating to and (b) monitoring the use of the sharing of interoperable tools and resources across educational institutions and sectors.

Phil Hope: No specific assessment has been made of, nor is information routinely collected on, the cost of developing standards (a) relating to and (b) monitoring the use of the sharing of interoperable tools and resources across educational institutions and sectors.
	Interoperability standards are a critical element of an effective national digital infrastructure. Such standards by nature are global and agreed between many different nations. The UK is participating within bodies such as the International Standards Organisation to facilitate their creation and adoption. This removes much of the requirement to create standards only for the UK educational sectors, although specific requirements do still remain.
	Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) and JISC (the Joint Information Systems Committee) have worked together to coordinate standards development activity for the school, further education and higher education sectors since the mid-1990s. In this way, the priorities of the UK sector as a whole has had a significant impact on the international standardisation agenda. Within the UK, close cooperation between the agencies and vendors in measures such as interoperability testing events, and between the agencies and the sectors in communities of practice has ensured that best practice and best-of-breed tools have spread widely and rapidly.

Interoperable Tools

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to increase the sharing of interoperable tools and resources across educational institutions and sectors; and what assessment she has made of the time savings for teachers and lecturers in lesson preparation and administration as a consequence of these measures.

Phil Hope: As the standards and the tools have matured, BECTA (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) and JISC (the Joint Information Systems Committee) have spread interoperable content and tools within institutions by running a number of procurement and deployment programmes. Initiatives such as the Learning and Skills Council's NLN (National Learning Network) materials and JISC's X4L programmes have embedded best practice in this area. A number of approaches are being taken to increase the sharing of interoperable tools and resources.
	Within sectors there is a range of initiatives to enable the sharing of tools and resources. In the schools sector for example, there is the Teacher Resource Exchange and the DfES national whiteboard network as well as local initiatives managed by local authorities and regional broadband consortia.
	The Learning and Skills web portal is being developed to act as an aggregator of content and advice and guidance for all practitioners involved in the post-16 sector. When it is launched in April it will offer users access to a wide range of existing content from different providers, including other sectors, though, for example, searching Curriculum Online. Future development will add additional sources and added value services.
	JISC and BECTA are exploring cross sector opportunities. The LSC (Learning and Skills Council) has instigated research to establish any barriers and identify solutions to the sharing and use of the National Learning Network materials for other sectors.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including productive time savings for teachers and lecturers in lesson preparation and administration. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April 2006.

Investors in People

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what correspondence she has had with Investors in People (IiP) UK Ltd. on the (a) granting and (b) re-accreditation of IiP status for her Department.

Phil Hope: The Department has had no direct contact or correspondence with Investors in People UK in regard to either its original recognition or subsequent reviews.

IT Systems

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department allocated for school IT systems in each year from 1997 to 2005 in (a) Leicestershire and (b) England.

Phil Hope: The Department does not hold information on specific allocation figures for IT systems in schools within Leicestershire local authority (LA) or England. Funding for schools IT systems will be included within the overall ICT allocation figure for the LA.
	ICT funding allocations for Leicestershire LA since 1998 are detailed in Funding for ICT in Schools in England which is available in the House Library. The document also includes total funding allocations for schools in England in each year.

Key Skills Training

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has allocated for key skills training in secondary schools in (a) Leicestershire and (b) England in each year since the beginning of the scheme.

Jacqui Smith: Training for key skills teachers is provided through the Key Skills Support Programme KSSP) which focuses on post-16 learners in schools, colleges and work-based training. The amounts allocated nationally for schools and colleges since the start of the KSSP are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year Allocation () 
		
		
			 19992000 4,000,000 
			 200001 4,000,000 
			 200102 4,000,000 
			 200203 4,000,000 
			 200304 4,000,000 
			 200405 3,115,000 
			 200506 3,525,000 
		
	
	The KSSP is a national programme and the above figures represent the total allocations across England for both secondary schools and colleges. More detailed breakdowns, whether by region or by type of institution, are not available.

Key Stage 3

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made on the pilot project to look at the impact of completing Key Stage 3 in two years; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Two Year Key Stage 3 Project is ongoing. The project supports schools to provide more personalised pathways through the 1419 curriculum for different groups of pupils.
	Phase I schools started to implement a condensed curriculum for years seven and eight in September 2003 and Phase 2 schools began exploring innovative and alternative curriculum models for either low-attaining or gifted and talented pupils in September 2004.
	The impact of the project is being assessed through Ofsted evaluation and by an independent study being carried out by LSE/NFER.
	Preliminary findings suggest that almost all of the schools have responded imaginatively to the project and tackled the challenge in a variety of ways; and has stressed the importance of schools carefully matching their curriculum to the particular circumstances and needs of their pupils.

LEA Administration/Finance

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total expenditure on local education authority administration was in 200405; and what the budgeted expenditure is for local education authorities in (a) 200506 and (b) 200607.

Jacqui Smith: For 200405 local authorities reported 561 million (net current expenditure) on central administration on their Section 52 Outturn Statements. On their 200506 Section 52 Budget Statements local authorities reported 446 million (net expenditure) on statutory/regulatory duties. These figures are not directly comparable as the Departments reporting requirements for both returns are different.
	Data relating to 200607 are not due to be collected until April 2006.
	Notes:
	Central administration as reported on section 52 outturn and statutory/regulatory duties as reported on section 52 budget both cover the overall management of the authority's responsibility in relation to education.

LEA Administration/Finance

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the impact on funding would be for a local education authority that did not complete its public consultation on Building Schools for the Future.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 February 2006
	We expect all local education authorities to consult fully on their Building Schools for the Future (BSF) re-organisation plans, following the relevant statutory regulations on issues such as school organisation, before a business case for funding can be approved by the Department for Education and Skills.
	If a local authority fails to complete its public consultation, departmental approvals, and therefore the allocation of funds, may be delayed until the necessary consultation processes have been completed.
	In the case of Hull, once the local authority have completed the consultation process, this project should be able to move forward more quickly than it has to date. They currently aim to submit a first business case in April/May, which should enable the first BSF schools in the area to be opened in September 2009.

League Tables

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effect of school league tables on the year six curriculum.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not commissioned such an assessment. Pupils take National Curriculum tests in Year 6 to assess how well they have mastered the Key Stage 2 curriculum in English, mathematics and sciencesubjects of crucial importance to their success at secondary school. The fact that the test results will, in due course, be published should have no direct effect on the Year 6 curriculum, in these or other subjects. Evidence from Ofsted shows that good test results are associated with a broad curriculum and engaging teaching.

Learning and Skills Council

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of the reduction in Learning and Skills Council funding to Leicestershire upon community centres and adult learning in Leicestershire.

Bill Rammell: On the 21 October, I made an announcement, setting out the Government's strategic direction for the learning and skills sector for 2006/7 and 2007/8. My main purpose for doing so was to ensure the 2006/07 funding allocations process began with a clear and concise message on the principles that will underpin funding over the next two years. In addition, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) published Priorities for Successa document that sets out the funding strategy for the next two years in more detail. This document is available on the LSC's website.
	Although more public funding will be going into the sector, we will focus funding even more strongly on key priorities of raising participation and achievement 1419 and driving down the skills deficit in the adult workforce. I reaffirmed our commitment to safeguard the funding for personal and community development learning in mainstream further education and local authority funded adult education (adult and community learning) with a budget of 210 million in 2006/7.
	The funding available for adult learning for this year and for 200608 is sufficient to broadly maintain the total amount of publicly funded adult learning, taking into account the duration of courses. We do expect the re-prioritisation of resources to move to longer and more expensive courses which will lead to a net loss of adult places. The Learning and Skills Council plans to publish information about the initial take-up of learning in England for 2005/06, through a statistical first release in March 2006. My Department does not hold figures for adult learner numbers at local level. The LSC published information in its annual report and accounts for 200405 of the numbers of learners gaining skills for life target qualifications for the years 200104 for Leicestershire and the total number of adults receiving LSC funded learning in East Midlands in 2004/05. The report is available on the LSC website.

Learning and Skills Council

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact on adult learning in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) England of the changes in funding for the Learning and Skills Council for adult learning since 200405.

Bill Rammell: On 21 October, I made an announcement, setting out the Government's strategic direction for the learning and skills sector for 2006/07 and 2007/08. My main purpose for doing so was to ensure the 2006/07 funding allocations process began with a clear and concise message on the principles that will underpin funding over the next two years. In addition, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) published Priorities for Successa document that sets out the funding strategy for the next two years in more detail. This document is available on the LSC's website. These clear messages develop priorities outlined in my Department's grant letters to the LSC for 200405 and 200506.
	Although more public funding will be going into the sector, we will focus funding even more strongly on key priorities of raising participation and achievement 1419 and driving down the skills deficit in the adult workforce. I reaffirmed our commitment to safeguard the funding for personal and community development learning in mainstream further education and local authority funded adult education (adult and community learning) with a budget of 210 million in 2006/07.
	In 2004/05 the number of adult learners remained broadly unchanged compared to the previous year. We expect the Learning and Skills Council to publish information about the initial take-up of learning in England for 2005/06, through a statistical first release in March 2006. My Department does not hold figures for adult learner numbers at local level. The LSC published information in its annual report and accounts for 200405 of the numbers of learners gaining skills for life target qualifications for the years 2001 to 2004 for North Yorkshire and the total number of adults receiving LSC funded learning in Yorkshire and Humberside during 2004/05. The report is available on the LSC website.

Learning Support

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills where the (a) multi-agency behaviour and education support teams and (b) in-school learning support units are based.

Jacqui Smith: Behaviour and Education Support Teams (BESTs) can be located in either a school or community setting. In practice, many of the current teams have a permanent base in a secondary school, while also working with a cluster of associated primary and secondary schools. However, community settings are also used in some cases, and these may have the advantage of being more accessible to parents. A survey of schools and local authorities involved in the Behaviour Improvement Programme (BIP) indicated that there were around 190 BESTs, operating across 137 local BIP projects, in the summer term 2005.
	Learning Support Units (LSUs) are school-based centres for primary or secondary pupils who are disaffected, at risk of exclusion or vulnerable because of family or social issues. Most LSUs offer support to pupils at the school in which they are based, but some are shared by a group of schools. There are at least 1,500 LSUs in England (around 120 are primary LSUs), found mainly, but not wholly, in Excellence in Cities areas.

Lifelong Learning

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made with the introduction of a single quality improvement agency for the lifelong learning sector.

Bill Rammell: Good progress has been made and plans are on track to launch the new Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning (QIA) in April 2006. The QIA will be an executive non-departmental public body based in Coventry. Its purpose is to help accelerate quality improvement, to raise standards, and to create a high quality and demand-led learning and skills sector.

List 99

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people on list 99 have limited permission to work (a) with some types of children and (b) in certain types of school in Coventry, South.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 25 January 2006
	My statement of 19 January explains that 210 people in England and Wales have restrictions rather than a full bar on their employment.
	The independent panel, chaired by Sir Roger Singleton, will review the cases where restrictions were imposed rather than a full bar.

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to allocate funds to local authority music service provision after 2008; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: It is not possible to give any indication at this stage about the funding of music services post-2008. This will be considered as part of the wider Comprehensive Spending Review.

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what annual resources are allocated to local authority music services from the Music Standards Fund (a) in each year between 1995 and 2000 and (b) in 200506; and if she will list the totals allocated to each local authority.

Jacqui Smith: We do not hold figures for music service allocations prior to 1999.
	In 1999, 35,199,022 was allocated to local authorities for music services through the Music Standards Fund.
	In 2000, this figure rose to 40,300,519. In 200506, the total allocation was 61,053,563.
	The breakdown of allocations across local authorities for 200506 is shown in the table as follows.
	
		
			 LEA number LEA name Allocation 
		
		
			 201 Corporation of London 6,753 
			 202 Camden 383,500 
			 203 Greenwich 274,228 
			 204 Hackney 370,380 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 167,481 
			 206 Islington 232,002 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 95,513 
			 208 Lambeth 243,044 
			 209 Lewisham 287,833 
			 210 Southwark 371,237 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 414,449 
			 212 Wandsworth 273,101 
			 213 Westminster 373,500 
			 301 Barking 227,091 
			 302 Barnet 203,251 
			 303 Bexley 220,000 
			 304 Brent 264,159 
			 305 Bromley 186,838 
			 306 Croydon 267,764 
			 307 Ealing 345,508 
			 308 Enfield 299,111 
			 309 Haringey 357,000 
			 310 Harrow 168,000 
			 311 Havering 170,286 
			 312 Hillingdon 213,534 
			 313 Hounslow 370,000 
			 314 Kingston Upon Thames 153,000 
			 315 Merton 178,221 
			 316 Newham 523,737 
			 317 Redbridge 221,511 
			 318 Richmond Upon Thames 169,600 
			 319 Sutton 141,322 
			 320 Waltham Forest 279,225 
			 330 Birmingham 1,564,904 
			 331 Coventry 357,088 
			 332 Dudley 591,435 
			 333 Sandwell 763,000 
			 334 Solihull 313,000 
			 335 Walsall 722,400 
			 336 Wolverhampton 292,699 
			 340 Knowsley 286,243 
			 341 Liverpool 604,080 
			 342 St. Helens 151,541 
			 343 Sefton 606,540 
			 344 Wirral 570,800 
			 350 Bolton 568,500 
			 351 Bury 140,723 
			 352 Manchester 1,365,000 
			 353 Oldham 381,655 
			 354 Rochdale 205,232 
			 355 Salford 399,398 
			 356 Stockport 241,000 
			 357 Tameside 210,007 
			 358 Trafford 178,989 
			 359 Wigan 228,220 
			 370 Barnsley 226,336 
			 371 Doncaster 778,912 
			 372 Rotherham 630,920 
			 373 Sheffield 374,293 
			 380 Bradford 503,306 
			 381 Calderdale 231,546 
			 382 Kirklees 413,553 
			 383 Leeds 545,454 
			 384 Wakefield 781,770 
			 390 Gateshead 508,590 
			 391 Newcastle Upon Tyne 413,926 
			 392 North Tyneside 213,983 
			 393 South Tyneside 268,000 
			 394 Sunderland 317,574 
			 420 Isles of Scilly 4,996 
			 800 Bath and North East Somerset 197,000 
			 801 Bristol 301,541 
			 802 North Somerset 328,000 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 295,900 
			 805 Hartlepool 10,000 
			 806 Middlesbrough 10,000 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 10,000 
			 808 Stockton-on-Tees 1,346,700 
			 810 Kingston-upon-Hull 522,000 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 567,000 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 319,000 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 200,000 
			 815 North Yorkshire 733,000 
			 816 York 418,320 
			 820 Bedfordshire 543,000 
			 821 Luton 861,750 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 905,020 
			 826 Milton Keynes 290,000 
			 830 Derbyshire 955,642 
			 831 Derby City 10,000 
			 835 Dorset 254,600 
			 836 Poole 94,100 
			 837 Bournemouth 91,700 
			 840 Durham 840,000 
			 841 Darlington 187,000 
			 845 East Sussex 945,774 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 340,580 
			 850 Hampshire 1,095,380 
			 851 Portsmouth 157,000 
			 852 Southampton 319,100 
			 855 Leicestershire 471,000 
			 856 Leicester City 179,400 
			 857 Rutland 30,169 
			 860 Staffordshire 1,064,000 
			 861 Stoke-on-Trent 274,374 
			 865 Wiltshire 288,000 
			 866 Swindon 290,800 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 146,760 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 188,000 
			 869 West Berkshire 217,100 
			 870 Reading 160,000 
			 871 Slough 231,000 
			 872 Wokingham 200,000 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 414,000 
			 874 Peterborough 149,002 
			 875 Cheshire 492,353 
			 876 Halton 135,429 
			 877 Warrington 147,806 
			 878 Devon 591,400 
			 879 Plymouth 182,200 
			 880 Torbay 75,000 
			 881 Essex 1,132,535 
			 882 Southend-on-Sea 218,229 
			 883 Thurrock 405,903 
			 884 Herefordshire 229,710 
			 885 Worcestershire 897,000 
			 886 Kent 1,139,485 
			 887 Medway 219,588 
			 888 Lancashire 1,226,889 
			 889 Blackburn with Darwen 420,000 
			 890 Blackpool 132,293 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 619,365 
			 892 Nottingham City 333,043 
			 893 Shropshire 188,988 
			 894 Telford and Wrekin 146,436 
			 908 Cornwall 528,000 
			 909 Cumbria 643,800 
			 916 Gloucestershire 477,176 
			 919 Hertfordshire 782,448 
			 921 Isle of Wight 350,800 
			 925 Lincolnshire 553,000 
			 926 Norfolk 605,195 
			 928 Northamptonshire 845,000 
			 929 Northumberland 281,243 
			 931 Oxfordshire 424,000 
			 933 Somerset 737,450 
			 935 Suffolk 482,626 
			 936 Surrey 528,669 
			 937 Warwickshire 1,016,000 
			 938 West Sussex 1,004,000

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the projected allocations are for each local authority for music service provision from the music standards fund for (a) 200607 and (b) 200708; and what the totals were for each local authority.

Jacqui Smith: The projected allocations for music services from the music standards fund over the next two financial years are set out in the following table.
	The higher levels in 200607 reflect an increase of 1.5 million over the baseline to support instrumental and vocal tuition at KS2.
	In addition to music standards fund allocations for music services, local authorities will receive a further 26 million over the next two years for instrumental and vocal tuition at KS2. This money will be devolved to primary and special schools and we would expect a significant proportion to be spent by schools on buying back music service provision.
	
		
		
			  200607 200708 
		
		
			 Corporation of London 6,753 1,753 
			 Camden 383,500 373,500 
			 Greenwich 274,228 264,228 
			 Hackney 370,380 360,380 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 167,481 157,481 
			 Islington 232,002 222,002 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 95,513 85,513 
			 Lambeth 243,044 233,044 
			 Lewisham 287,833 277,833 
			 Southwark 371,237 361,237 
			 Tower Hamlets 414,449 404,449 
			 Wandsworth 273,101 263,101 
			 Westminster 373,500 363,500 
			 Barking 227,091 217,091 
			 Barnet 203,251 193,251 
			 Bexley 220,000 210,000 
			 Brent 264,159 254,159 
			 Bromley 186,838 176,838 
			 Croydon 267,764 257,764 
			 Ealing 345,508 335,508 
			 Enfield 299,111 289,111 
			 Haringey 357,000 347,000 
			 Harrow 168,000 158,000 
			 Havering 170,286 160,286 
			 Hillingdon 213,534 203,534 
			 Hounslow 370,000 360,000 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 153,000 143,000 
			 Merton 178,221 168,221 
			 Newham 523,737 513,737 
			 Red bridge 221,511 211,511 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 169,600 159,600 
			 Sutton 141,322 131,322 
			 Waltham Forest 279,225 269,225 
			 Birmingham 1,564,904 1,554,904 
			 Coventry 357,088 347,088 
			 Dudley 591,435 581,435 
			 Sandwell 763,000 753,000 
			 Solihull 313,000 303,000 
			 Walsall 722,400 712,400 
			 Wolverhampton 292,699 282,699 
			 Knowsley 286,243 276,243 
			 Liverpool 604,080 594,080 
			 St. Helens 151,541 141,541 
			 Sefton 606,540 596,540 
			 Wirral 570,800 560,800 
			 Bolton 568,500 558,500 
			 Bury 140,723 130,723 
			 Manchester 1,365,000 1,355,000 
			 Oldham 381,655 371,655 
			 Rochdale 205,232 195,232 
			 Salford 399,398 389,398 
			 Stockport 241,000 231,000 
			 Tameside 210,007 200,007 
			 Trafford 178,989 168,989 
			 Wigan 228,220 218,220 
			 Barnsley 226,336 216,336 
			 Doncaster 778,912 768,912 
			 Rotherham 630,920 620,920 
			 Sheffield 374,293 364,293 
			 Bradford 503,306 493,306 
			 Calderdale 231,546 221,546 
			 Kirklees 413,553 403,553 
			 Leeds 545,454 535,454 
			 Wakefield 781,770 771,770 
			 Gateshead 508,590 498,590 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 413,926 403,926 
			 North Tyneside 213,983 203,983 
			 South Tyneside 268,000 258,000 
			 Sunderland 317,574 307,574 
			 Isles Of Scilly 0 0 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 197,000 187,000 
			 Bristol 301,541 291,541 
			 North Somerset 328,000 318,000 
			 South Gloucestershire 295,900 285,900 
			 Hartlepool 10,000 0 
			 Middlesbrough 10,000 0 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 10,000 0 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 1,346,700 1,336,700 
			 Kingston-upon- Hull 522,000 512,000 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 567,000 557,000 
			 North East Lincolnshire 319,000 309,000 
			 North Lincolnshire 200,000 190,000 
			 North Yorkshire 733,000 723,000 
			 York 418,320 408,320 
			 Bedfordshire 543,000 533,000 
			 Luton 861,750 851,750 
			 Buckinghamshire 905,020 895,020 
			 Milton Keynes 290,000 280,000 
			 Derbyshire 955,642 945,642 
			 Derby City 10,000 0 
			 Dorset 254,600 244,600 
			 Poole 94,100 84,100 
			 Bournemouth 91,700 81,700 
			 Durham 840,000 830,000 
			 Darlington 187,000 177,000 
			 East Sussex 945,774 935,774 
			 Brighton and Hove 340,580 330,580 
			 Hampshire 1,095,380 1,085,380 
			 Portsmouth 157,000 147,000 
			 Southampton 319,100 309,100 
			 Leicestershire 471,000 461,000 
			 Leicester City 179,400 169,400 
			 Rutland 30,169 20,169 
			 Staffordshire 1,064,000 1,054,000 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 274,374 264,374 
			 Wiltshire 288,000 278,000 
			 Swindon 290,800 280,800 
			 Bracknell Forest 146,760 136,760 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 188,000 178,000 
			 West Berkshire 217,100 207,100 
			 Reading 160,000 150,000 
			 Slough 231,000 221,000 
			 Wokingham 200,000 190,000 
			 Cambridgeshire 414,000 404,000 
			 Peterborough 149,002 139,002 
			 Cheshire 492,353 482,353 
			 Halton 135,429 125,429 
			 Warrington 147,806 137,806 
			 Devon 591,400 581,400 
			 Plymouth 182,200 172,200 
			 Torbay 75,000 65,000 
			 Essex 1,132,535 1,122,535 
			 Southend-on-Sea 218,229 208,229 
			 Thurrock 405,903 395,903 
			 Herefordshire 229,710 219,710 
			 Worcestershire 897,000 887,000 
			 Kent 1,139,485 1,129,485 
			 Medway 219,588 209,588 
			 Lancashire 1,226,889 1,216,889 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 420,000 410,000 
			 Blackpool 132,293 122,293 
			 Nottinghamshire 619,365 609,365 
			 Nottingham City 333,043 323,043 
			 Shropshire 188,988 178,988 
			 Telford and Wrekin 146,436 136,436 
			 Cornwall 528,000 518,000 
			 Cumbria 643,800 633,800 
			 Gloucestershire 477,176 467,176 
			 Hertfordshire 782,448 772,448 
			 Isle of Wight 350,800 340,800 
			 Lincolnshire 553,000 543,000 
			 Norfolk 605,195 595,195 
			 Northamptonshire 845,000 835,000 
			 Northumberland 281,243 271,243 
			 Oxfordshire 424,000 414,000 
			 Somerset 737,450 727,450 
			 Suffolk 482,626 472,626 
			 Surrey 528,669 518,669 
			 Warwickshire 1,016,000 1,006,000 
			 West Sussex 1,004,000 994,000

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have participated in the Wider Opportunities music programme; and what plans are in place to enable students to continue music tuition.

Jacqui Smith: The 2005 survey of local authority music services showed that 13 per cent. of students at KS2 (more than a quarter of a million young people) are benefiting from instrumental tuition as a result of the Wider Opportunities programme. This is up from 7 per cent. in 2002.
	Piloting of Wider Opportunities suggests that many of these children will continue with music tuition after their instrumental programme ends. To support ongoing opportunities:
	we are continuing to invest 60 million per annum in music service provision;
	we are encouraging schools and families to buy in additional tuition beyond the initial programmeincluding through the extended schools programme;
	we are exploring future models of KS3 provision which include elements of instrumental tuition; and
	through the music manifesto we are looking at ways of developing and delivering a more personalised music education to secondary students, including opportunities for instrumental and vocal tuition.

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the outcomes were of the recent departmental Survey of Local Authority Music Services with regard to delivering the objectives of the Music Manifesto.

Jacqui Smith: The Music Manifesto has the overall aim of creating more music for more people. Our investment in music services is a key part of the Department's Manifesto pledge to schools and the 2005 survey showed that they are making substantial progress in most areas.
	For example:
	In 2002, 69 per cent. of schools were reported to have received instrumental tuition. In 2005, this had risen to 76 per cent. of primary schools and 88 per cent. of secondary schools.
	82 per cent. of schools now take advice from Music Services on resources, appointments and preparation or follow up from inspections (up from 38 per cent. in 2002).
	97 per cent. of schools say that they are satisfied with the service they receive from their local Music Service.
	The percentage of children in KS2 who receive instrumental lessons has risen from 7 per cent. in 2002 to 13 per cent. in 2005.
	17 per cent. of children learning to play in 2005 were from minority ethnic or mixed groups; 12 per cent. received free school meals and 9 per cent. had special educational needs.

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in fulfilling the commitment for all primary children to have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

Jacqui Smith: Since 2002, the percentage of KS2 pupils learning a musical instrument has risen from 7 per cent. to 13 per cent. We have achieved this by:
	piloting models of delivery in 13 authorities;
	sending an Ofsted evaluation and a DVD of exemplar materials based on the pilots to all schools and local authorities in England;
	commissioning QCA guidance materials based on the pilots and sending them to all schools and local authorities in England;
	funding a series of national and regional training events for teachers, local authorities and music services;
	providing local authority music services with an additional 3 million over the last three years to develop their own models of delivery.
	We expect to make significant further progress over the next two years by:
	providing Music Services with a further 1.5 million for this work in 200607;
	investing 1 million per annum in a national musical instrument fund;
	investing 1 million per annum in a national strategy for workforce training and development;
	allocating 26 million to primary and special schools to buy in the specialist support they need to deliver this programme in schools;
	issuing guidance to primary and special schools at the end of this month about models of delivering these opportunities.

Music Teaching

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to guarantee access to music services including learning a musical instrument for all young people.

Jacqui Smith: Over the next two years the Department plans to:
	invest 59.5 million in Music Service provision for schools;
	provide Music Services with a further 1.5 million in 200607 for instrumental learning at KS2;
	invest 1 million per annum in a national musical instrument fund;
	invest 1 million per annum in a national strategy for workforce training and development;
	allocate 26 million to primary and special schools to buy in the specialist support they need to deliver instrumental learning in schools;
	issue guidance to primary and special schools about models of delivering instrumental opportunities in schools;
	working with the Federation of Music Services and the Music Manifesto, review the structure and funding of music service provision as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Local Government Services

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to improve the structures and delivery of local government services for children and families; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Beverley Hughes: The Every Child Matters Green Paper, published in 2003, and the Children Act 2004, have brought about a series of structural and other changes at local level which support the drive to improve outcomes for all children and young people. These include the appointment of Directors of Children's Services and Lead Members for Children's Services, the development of children's trusts and the preparation of Children and Young People's Plans.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Looked-after Children

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what additional safeguards local authorities are required to put in place for looked-after children placed out of area; and what assessment she has made of whether these safeguards are effective.

Maria Eagle: The same statutory safeguards for looked-after children apply regardless of where the child is living. All looked-after children, including those placed out-of-authority, are required under the Children Act 1989 to have an individual care plan, which is subject to a regular statutory review overseen by an independent reviewing officer. In addition, an authority responsible for looking after a child which places the child in another area is required to inform the local authority and the primary care trust (or if there is no PCT, the health authority) for the area in which the child is now living. The placing authority is also required to notify the PCT where the child has been living that the child is leaving their area.
	Last year, the Department conducted a national project on out-of-authority placements for looked-after children. We know from that project that the system for notifying local authorities and PCTs is not working as effectively as it should. That is why we have undertaken to consider how best to improve this system, alongside wider work both to reduce local authorities' dependence on out-of-authority placements and to improve outcomes for looked-after children who are placed out-of-authority. This work will be taken forward as part of the wide-ranging proposals for transforming outcomes for looked-after children which we announced in the recent White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Media Coverage

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what analysis her Department has conducted of national media coverage of education issues in the past 12 months.

Bill Rammell: The DfES does not undertake continuous analysis of national media coverage of education issues. Over the past 12 months it has conducted evaluation of national, regional, specialist and consumer media coverage of communications campaigns on Aimhigher, Aimhigher Student Finance, Educational Maintenance Allowances, Foundation Degrees and Teenage Pregnancy. It has also used media evaluation to assess the effectiveness of a partnership with Mersey TV, and undertaken national and specialist media evaluation around the publication of the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Modern Apprenticeships

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school leavers in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) England have taken up a modern apprenticeship after the completion of their GCSEs in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Figures for those participating in apprenticeships funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) derive from the Individual Learner Record (ILR). This was collated for the first time in 2001/02 (as an Interim ILR) and comparable figures are currently only available for the three following years.
	Figures in the following table show number of apprentices aged academic age 16 based upon the home postcode of the learner (rather than employer or training provider).
	
		
			  2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 
		
		
			 Jarrow 212 222 190 
			 South Tyneside 377 426 364 
			 Tyne and Wear 1,882 1,746 1,903 
			 North East 4,860 4,527 4,857 
			 England 51,917 52,129 53,845

Modern Apprenticeships

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school leavers in Coventry South took up a modern apprenticeship after the completion of their GCSEs in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: Figures for those participating in apprenticeships funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) derive from the individual learner record (ILR). This was collated for the first time in 2001/02 (as an interim ILR) and comparable figures are currently only available for the three following years.
	The following table shows figures for the total number of apprentices of academic age 16 in Coventry South for each year from 2002/03 to 2004/05.
	
		Number
		
			 Coventry South Advanced apprenticeship Apprenticeship Total 
		
		
			 2002/03 18 62 90 
			 2003/04 13 56 69 
			 2004/05 15 66 81

Modern Languages

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the planned allocation of funding committed to the teaching of modern languages in schools; and on what basis such resources will be distributed between local education authorities and languages taught.

Jacqui Smith: In December 2005 we confirmed Standards Fund allocations for 200607, which included 22 million specifically to support language provision at key stage 2. The languages money is part of the primary strategy targeted support funding. Allocations to each local authority comprise a lump sum and a per capita figure based on the number of key stage 2 pupils within that authority. Individual allocations have not been influenced by the languages currently taught in the authority.
	Prior to this, in March 2005, we announced that during the financial years 200508 we would invest 115 million to support the continuing implementation of our national languages strategy. This investment will provide funding for primary initial teacher training with a languages specialism; support for foreign language assistants; provide in-service training for teachers and teaching assistants; support new approaches to teaching and learning for 11 to 18-year-olds, including vocational language options; extend the role language colleges play in supporting local primary and secondary schools, including an additional grant to every school with either an initial or second specialism in languages; introduce the national recognition scheme for languagesthe languages ladder; and, encourage international links between schools and enable research to be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies.
	The 22 million referred to is part of that overall investment and will be distributed directly among local authorities.

Newcastle Community High School

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the benefits of trust school status will be for standards at Newcastle community high school in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Jacqui Smith: Acquiring a trust will allow schools to raise standards through drawing on the expertise and experience of their partners to support their strategic leadership. Trusts will be an option for every school, allowing them to create a sustainable and stable partnership, with clear aims and outcomes agreed at the outset. Any school seeking to acquire trust status will be able to choose who they wish to collaborate with in order to strengthen their governance, support their long term continuing improvement, meet the aspirations of their pupils and local community and develop a distinctive ethos. They could help schools in an area to work together, or could support a network of schools across the country in developing a particular specialism or approach.

Non-governmental Organisation Funding

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the non-governmental organisations financially supported by her Department in the 200506 financial year.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not hold separate central records of non-government organisations it financially supports and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ofsted

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to reduce the costs of Ofsted inspections; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Jacqui Smith: Changes to the new inspection processes for schools and early years provision began in September 2005. These processes are shorter, sharper and more proportionate. There is now greater emphasise on self evaluation, for example in schools where it has contributed to a significant reduction in the weight of inspection. Changes to the delivery of inspections will result in annual savings within Ofsted of some 30 million. Ofsted has made other changes to its business, most notably reducing its 12 offices to three new regional offices and streamlining its administration.
	The Government are committed to further reduction in the cost of inspection. The overall aims of its inspection strategy are to refocus, rationalise and reduce inspection in order to increase its impact and cost-effectiveness.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including those relating to Ofsted. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Online Ordering (Schools)

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to develop and maintain an online ordering catalogue for schools; and what the effect of these measures were on costs.

Maria Eagle: The Department ceased sending publications automatically to schools in England on a phased basis between April and December 2004. Discussions with head teachers and detailed research showed that schools wanted to be able to choose the printed publications they needed, when they needed them, and to be able to order multiple copies.
	The online ordering system enables schools to choose whether to download electronic copies or order the paper based publications they need at the right time for them and in the multiples they require. This system is linked directly to the fulfilment service and an existing telephone ordering line. A fortnightly email service to schools informs them of new and important publications. Some initial savings have already been made through a reduction in printing costs and distribution and stock management, and further efficiencies are expected as reliance on paper hard copies diminishes.
	This has resulted in schools being able to order a wider variety of publications from the Department, putting schools in direct control of what they receive, when they receive it.

Outreach Workers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which schools employ dedicated home-school outreach workers, broken down by local education authority.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

PE Teachers

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the projected numbers are of physical education teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools for (i) 200607, (ii) 200708 and (iii) 200809.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not available in the format required, as no projections are made of physical education teachers.
	In allocating numbers of teacher training places we consider a variety of factors such as recent and expected flows in and out of teaching, the age structure of the teaching profession, the latest pupil projections and expected changes in demand arising from new policy initiatives with an analysis by age, phase and (for secondary schools) subject. We also take account of expected wastage during training. Consideration is also given to:
	the latest evidence on vacancy rate by subject
	the evidence of the Secondary Schools Curriculum and Staffing Survey e.g. on levels of out-of-subject teaching
	evidence from Ofsted on particular subjects, where available
	the desirability for a degree of stability in the training provider market.

Pensions Liability

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total pensions liability is of the state education sector.

Jacqui Smith: The past service liabilities of the Teachers' Pension Scheme, which covers teachers and lecturers in England and Wales employed in maintained schools, Further Education institutions, post-1992 universities and some independent schools, were 119.7 billion as at 31 March 2005 (Teachers' Pension Scheme (England and Wales) Resource Accounts 200405).
	Non-teaching staff employed in these institutions are typically members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. That scheme has 86 separate funds that are managed by individual local authorities in England and Wales. The information requested on the proportion of liabilities attributable to those employed in the education sector overall is not held centrally.

Physical Education

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of schoolchildren meet the Government's target of two hours physical education each week in schools; how many of those schools are in a school sport partnership; and how many schools responded to the school sport partnership survey.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The Government's target is to increase the percentage of five to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport to 75 per cent. by 2006 and 85 per cent. by 2008. The annual PE, School Sport and Club Links survey collects data from schools within school sport partnerships. The 2004/05 survey found that 69 per cent. of five to 16-year-olds are participating in at least two hours high quality PE and school sport each week. Data on schools outside of school sport partnerships is not held centrally.
	In total, 11,498 schools took part in the survey, representing a response rate of 95 per cent. By September 2006, all maintained schools will be within a partnership.

Post-16 Education

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school-leavers in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) England (i) remained and (ii) did not remain in education after their GCSEs in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The percentage of 16-year-olds in full-time education in England at the end of 2004 was estimated to be 74.2 per cent.the highest ever rate. Figures on participation in education by young people are not available for Parliamentary Constituencies, but are available for local authoritiesincluding South Tyneside, and for local Learning and Skills Council areas including Tyne and Wear. These were published alongside figures for the North East and England in the Statistical First Release Participation in education and training by 16 and 17 year olds in each local area in EnglandSFR11/2005 on 31 March 2005.
	The publication is accessible on the DfES website via the link, http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000568/index.shtml. The specific LEA figures are available through the following link: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000568/SFR11-2005tables_lea.xls and specific local LSC figures through http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000568/SFR11-2005tables_lsc.xls.

Primary School Administration

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will take steps to reduce the rate at which changes to the administrative procedures undertaken by head teachers of primary schools are introduced.

Jacqui Smith: We recognise that we ask a lot of primary school leaders. We are determined though that every primary school should provide all their children, whatever their background, with the support they need to be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; develop as confident and enthusiastic learners; and grasp the basic skills of literacy and numeracy.
	Those working in and with our primary schools are making a tremendous contribution towards raising standards and improving the lives of our children. Primary schools have made significant progress in recent years and should be pleased with this progress. However, there is still much to be done. For example, there are still too many 11-year-olds who do not reach the levels in reading, writing, and mathematics they need to flourish in secondary school.
	Children only get one chance to start their schooling. That is why school improvement needs to happen as quickly as possible. At the same time we know that the pace of change has to be manageable. We have a range of measures in place and in development to make sure that is the case.
	First, for the contractual amendments that are freeing teachers to teach and school leaders to lead we worked more closely than ever before with the school workforce unions, employers and professional associations to phase changes in over a three year period.
	Second, on teachers' pay and conditions we take the advice of the independent School Teachers Review Body on changes needed to put in place the right incentives for teachers to focus on continuously improving their teaching and learning.
	Third, we are developing a new relationship with schools. From next year primary schools will work with a School Improvement Partner, agreeing school improvement priorities in a single school plan and accounting for them through streamlined accountability arrangements. Already we have cut Ofsted inspections from a week to a couple of days.
	Fourth, within the Department we have introduced arrangements that resulted last year in six surveys of schools being incorporated into a single school census where the information is harvested from school management systems automatically. We have stopped sending hard copies of documents to school informing them electronically of what is available and leaving it to them to order only those they need and want, in the quantities and at the time they want them. We trimmed 38 requests for new data from schools to five and we more than halved the number of new initiatives for schools in 2005.
	Fifth, in our recent White Paper we underlined the importance of external scrutiny of the way we deliver new policies by extending the remit of the Implementation Review Unit (IRU) for a further two years to 2008. This is an independent panel of serving senior school practitioners who challenge the Department to ensure our implementation plans are practicable and free from unnecessary burdens.
	The view of the IRU is that school leaders themselves can do a great deal to manage their own workload. The IRU themselves, have issued to all schools a set of principles head teachers might adopt. If followed, these principles will help heads to ensure that their approach to national and local initiatives gives maximum benefit to their own school with the minimum burden. A copy of those principles is as follows.
	Implementation Review Unit (IRU)
	Reducing bureaucracy in schools: principles for schools
	The IRU is working with the DfES, local authorities and other partner organisations to encourage them to reduce their bureaucratic impact on schools and to help them find ways of doing so. There are, however, approaches schools can take themselves which will help lessen the problem of bureaucracy.
	These approaches are embodied in the following principles which, if applied by schools, will contribute to reducing their bureaucratic burdens and which, we consider, will have a positive impact on staff throughout the school.
	We believe that head teachers and governors should:
	1. adopt non-mandatory guidance only where they consider it to be of relevance to their schools;
	2. question the need for non-statutory data and/or information, choosing themselves whether to provide it;
	3. challenge requests to provide duplicate data and/or information;
	4. identify and have regard to the workload implications for themselves and their staff and the impact on the school of:
	complying with non-statutory requests for information and data,
	embarking on specialist programmes and/or other initiatives;
	5. identify resources (including financial) available within the school, or elsewhere, to support complying with non-statutory requests/embarking on specialist programmes, etc;
	6. assess (and reduce) the bureaucracy associated with the management of meetings, internal communications and the preparation of school documentation, including the completion of self evaluation forms;
	7. ensure a minimalist approach towards their school's own bureaucratic systems and processes, so as to reduce their impact on both teaching and support staff;
	8. follow the principle that their own new policies and initiatives 1 should be instead of, and not additional to, existing ones;
	9. co-operate with the DfES, local authorities and partner agencies in discussing new policies and initiatives, including assisting with the preparation of impact assessments and looking at resource implications.
	1 The term new policies and initiatives also embraces new strategies, schemes and directives and changes to existing ones.

Pupil Exclusion

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) shortest and (b) longest fixed period is for a pupil exclusion, short of permanent exclusion.

Jacqui Smith: The maximum period allowed for a fixed period exclusion is 45 school days in any one school year. There is no minimum period.

Pupil Exclusion

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have been excluded from school in (a) Uxbridge, (b) the London borough of Hillingdon and (c) Greater London in the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Data on permanent exclusions are available from 1996/97 onwards. The available information is given in the table.
	
		Maintained primary, secondary and all special schools: Number and percentage of permanent exclusions 1995/96 to 2003/04
		
			  Uxbridge parliamentary constituency 
			  Primary Secondary Special 
			  Number Percentage(135) Number Percentage(135) Number Percentage(135) 
		
		
			 1995/96 (136) (136) 31 0.46 3 0.89 
			 1996/97 0 0.00 29 0.43 6 1.80 
			 1997/98 (136) (136) 18 0.26 3 0.78 
			 1998/99 3 0.04 22 0.32 3 0.76 
			 1999/2000 (136) (136) 17 0.24 4 1.00 
			 2000/01(137) 3 0.04 25 0.35 (136) (136) 
			 2001/02(137) 6 0.08 10 0.14 0 0.00 
			 2002/03(137) (136) (136) 19 0.27 (136) (136) 
			 2003/04(137) 3 0.04 22 0.31 (136) (136) 
		
	
	
		
			  Hillingdon local authority 
			  Primary Secondary Special 
			  Number Percentage(135) Number Percentage(135) Number Percentage(135) 
		
		
			 1995/96 9 0.04 58 0.40 4 0.69 
			 1996/97 3 0.01 57 0.38 8 1.28 
			 1997/98 3 0.01 52 0.34 3 0.48 
			 1998/99 4 0.02 59 0.39 3 0.46 
			 1999/2000 4 0.02 39 0.24 4 0.61 
			 2000/01(137) 15 0.06 46 0.28 4 0.61 
			 2001/02(137) 8 0.03 35 0.21 0 0.00 
			 2002/03(137) 7 0.03 41 0.24 (136) (136) 
			 2003/04(137) 10 0.04 61 0.34 (136) (136) 
		
	
	
		
			  London 
			  Primary Secondary Special 
			  Number Percentage(135) Number Percentage(135) Number Percentage(135) 
		
		
			 1995/96 278 0.05 1,894 0.51 79 0.64 
			 1996/97 286 0.05 1,814 0.48 93 0.75 
			 1997/98 282 0.04 1,665 0.44 80 0.64 
			 1998/99 249 0.04 1,471 0.38 62 0.49 
			 1999/2000 167 0.03 1,066 0.27 56 0.45 
			 2000/01(137) 199 0.03 1,197 0.29 52 0.42 
			 2001/02(137) 205 0.03 1,196 0.29 55 0.45 
			 2002/03(137) 175 0.03 1,255 0.30 43 0.36 
			 2003/04(137) 195 0.03 1,343 0.32 47 0.40 
		
	
	(135) The number of exclusions expressed as a percentage of the total number of pupils on the school roll in January of the same school year. Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(136) 1 or 2 exclusions, or a rate based on 1 or 2 exclusions.
	(137) There are known quality issues with exclusions data for these years. Figures shown here for Uxbridge parliamentary constituency are as reported by schools but are unconfirmed and should be used with caution. Figures for Hillingdon local authority and London have been checked back with authorities.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Pupil Funding

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the funding per pupil is for 200506 in (a) Shrewsbury constituency, (b) Bolton West constituency, (c) Sedgefield constituency, (d) Bedford constituency, (e) Hackney South and Shoreditch constituency and (f) Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency.

Jacqui Smith: School funding is allocated to local authorities: it would not be possible to disaggregate it below this level to parliamentary constituencies, some of which will cross local authority boundaries. Information on funding levels broken down by local authority is available on the Teachernet website at:
	www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/schoolfunding/200607_funding_arrangements/DSG200608/

Pupil Performance

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on producing the Performance and Assessment reports in each year since 2002.

Jacqui Smith: The Performance and Assessment Reports are produced by Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Maurice Smith, will write to the hon. Gentleman and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from Maurice Smith, dated 21 February 2006
	Your recent parliamentary question has been referred to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of schools, for reply.
	You asked how much was spent on producing the Performance and Assessment reports in each year since 2002. The costs, in 200506 prices, are detailed in the appendix.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Jacqui Smith and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.
	Appendix
	
		Costs(138) for Panda development, production and support200203 to 200405
		
			  Non-staff costs(139) Staff costs(140) Total 
		
		
			 200203 111,000 210,000 321,000 
			 200304 71,000 210,000 281,000 
			 200405 95,000 213,000 308,000 
		
	
	(138) All costs are shown in 200506 prices, rounded to the nearest thousand.
	(139) Non-staff costs include website hosting and maintenance and the cost of distribution of letters to schools.
	(140) Staff costs include staff oncosts, NI, pension etc. In each year comprising of:
	0.4 FTE Band ADM (Grade 6 equivalent)
	1 FTE Bl (SEO equivalent)
	2 FTE B2s (HEO equivalent)
	2 FTE B3s (EO equivalent)
	1 FTE Cls (AO equivalent)

Pupil Registration

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the review of pupil registration regulations.

Jacqui Smith: The 14-week public consultation on the review of the pupil registration regulations closed on 14 December 2005. We are currently analysing the comments made in the 182 responses. We plan to table any changes to the regulations arising from the review by May 2006 and bring them into force on 1 September 2006.

Research Assessment Exercise

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to change the frequency of the Research Assessment Exercise for higher education institutions.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend accepted the recommendation of the 2003 Roberts review of research assessment that the cycle for the research assessment exercise (RAE) should be extended from five to six years. The next RAE will take place in 2008.

Rewarding and Developing Staff Initiative

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what outcome there has been from the rewarding and developing staff initiative.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2006
	The recent evaluation, undertaken by KPMG, on round 1 of the rewarding and developing staff initiative (200102 to 200304) showed that it has had a positive impact across the English HE sector, providing a focus for change and helping to embed human resource management (HRM) at strategic level in HEIs. The initiative has helped HEIs and the sector to be better prepared to address forthcoming HE-wide challenges. It has enabled HEIs to address staff shortages more effectively, provide a substantial investment in staff development and training, and raise the profile of equality and diversity issues through policy development, awareness-raising and training, and job evaluation (the latter leading to the re-grading posts to new pay structures).
	Further details of the KPMG evaluation report can be found at:
	http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2005/rd14_05/

Rewarding and Developing Staff Initiative

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been spent under round (a) one and (b) two of the rewarding and developing staff initiative in implementing the single pay spine in higher education institutions.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2006
	KPMG was commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to undertake an evaluation of round 1 of the scheme (200102 to 200304), its main objective being to assess the impact of the initiative on the development of human resource (HR) management. KPMG's findings were that the distribution of expenditure between the six priority areas was as follows:
	
		Proportion of expenditure (all HEIs)200102 to 200304
		
			 Priority area Percentage  million 
		
		
			 Staff training and development 25 82.5 
			 Recruitment and retention 20 66 
			 Analysis of staffing needs 18 59.4 
			 Equal opportunities 13 42.9 
			 Annual performance reviews 6 19.8 
			 Poor performance 4 13.2 
			 Sub-total 86 283.8 
			 Not specified 14 46.2 
			 Total 100 330 
		
	
	Note:
	Data derived from HEIs' annual monitoring statements
	The single pay spine is one element of the new pay framework agreement, finally agreed by all relevant unions in June 2004. It is not possible to determine how much rewarding and developing staff funding has been spent specifically on implementing the agreement.
	Further details of the KPMG evaluation report can be found at:
	http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2005/rd14_05/
	Analysis of expenditure in round 2, which finishes in July 2006, will be published in 2007.

Rewarding and Developing Staff Initiative

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place for (a) monitoring expenditure of public money on the rewarding and developing staff initiative and (b) assessing the effectiveness of the initiative in meeting the Government's equal pay objectives.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2006
	The release of the rewarding and developing staff (RDS) funding to institutions, for round 1, was contingent on receipt by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) of a human resource strategy that identified objectives, described how the money would be spent, and set specific targets. Institutional expenditure was monitored via the annual monitoring statement, and through the request for a statement of expenditure, and HEFCE evaluations. To ensure release of round 2 funding, institutions were asked to submit either a revised human resource strategy or an extended investment plan.
	In terms of the overall monitoring of RDS, the Government have asked HEFCE to adopt a light touch approach, in line with our commitment to reduce the accountability burden in higher education. Round 1 of RDS has therefore been mainstreamed within institutions' block teaching grants and is no longer independently monitored. Round 2 is being monitored through institutions' annual monitoring statements. With respect to equal pay, there has been no specific monitoring. However, the evaluation of RDS Round 1 which ended in 200304, reported thatby that stage38 percent. of institutions had conducted an equal pay review.

Rewarding and Developing Staff Initiative

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the overall funding allocated to the Higher Education Funding Council for England under the rewarding and developing staff initiative was spent on external consultancies.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2006
	None of the rewarding and developing staff funding was used by the Higher Education Funding Council for England on external consultancies. Institutions may have used some of their allocated funding on buying in specialised consultancy support but this information is not available.

Safeguarding Grant

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the likely effect on child protection teams of the withdrawal of the Safeguarding Grant; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The ending of the Safeguarding Children grant was one of the factors taken into account when deciding on the level of extra provision to be provided in the Local Government Finance Settlement. It is for authorities to determine locally, based on their own priorities, if they wish to use this resource to continue services previously funded by the Safeguarding Children grant.
	The Local Government Finance Settlement, announced on 5 December 2005, increased the total resource to local government by 4.5 per cent. in 200607 and 5 per cent. in 200708 and included significant new funding for children and families. Local authorities will therefore be able to continue to invest in child protection teams.

Safer School Partnerships

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All, how many (a) safer school partnerships and (b) children's trusts have been set up.

Jacqui Smith: Currently there are just under 500 safer schools partnerships (SSPs) in England.
	All local authorities are on target to meet the Government's expectation that most areas will have a children's trust by April 2006, and all by 2008. 35 pathfinders and many other local areas have already established their children's trust arrangements, and some 137 local authorities say that their directors of children's services have been or are being appointed.

Higher Education

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to reduce the costs to higher education institutions of accountability, quality and reporting requirements; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Bill Rammell: The Department ensures that the costs to higher education institutions of accountability, quality and reporting requirements are kept under regular review, with a view to simplifying and streamlining processes and ensuring the burden placed on institutions is the minimum consistent with safeguarding public money and the high quality of teaching, learning and research at our higher education institutions.
	To ensure impetus to these developments and help minimise unnecessary bureaucracy burdens on frontline staff in higher education institutions including those generated by their accountability, quality and reporting requirements we have established the Higher Education Regulation Review Group. This is an independent group of practitioners working in the HE sector who help identify new and additional ways to reduce existing burdens, as well as reviewing all new Government policies to try and ensure they are introduced with the minimum of additional bureaucracy.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including reducing the costs to higher education institutions of accountability, quality and reporting requirements. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

School Admissions

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has (a) conducted and (b) commissioned on the relationship between school admissions policies and levels of social segregation; and when she expects to be able to publish the conclusions.

Jacqui Smith: The department has commissioned work on this topic from the Centre for the Economics of Education as part of their wider research programme.
	This work is not yet ready for publication, but will be published as soon as the work is complete.

School Admissions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will issue best practice guidance to assist promoters of new schools in designing admission policies.

Jacqui Smith: The School Admissions Code of Practice, in force since April 1999, gives guidance on setting admission policies for schools, including new schools established by promoters. We shall be revising the code following the forthcoming Education Bill. Under arrangements to be introduced in the forthcoming Bill, subject to Parliamentary agreement, promoters will be expected to act in accordance with the code in determining their admission arrangements and decision makers will have the power to modify arrangements to ensure that this is the case. Once admission arrangements have been approved, they will not be able to be changed for a period of three years.

School Assets

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what circumstances trust schools would be able to dispose of assets; and whether restrictions are planned on the use to which money from the sale of such assets could be put.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 9 February 2006
	Trust schools will be responsible for managing their own estate and assets and will be able to dispose of surplus land in the same way as foundation and voluntary schools can now. At present foundation and voluntary schools require the Secretary of State's consent before they can dispose of any land or buildings provided at public expense. We are proposing to strengthen local decision making by removing this requirement. Instead schools, including trust schools, will be expected to inform their local authority of any proposals to dispose of non-playing field land. Any disputes arising from the sale of such land will be determined by the schools adjudicator. Trust schools disposing of non-playing field land will be required to use any sale proceeds for capital purposes connected with education. Local authorities will potentially be able to claim a share of any excess sale proceeds either by agreement with the school or determined by the adjudicator.
	The proposed disposal, or change of use, of playing field land will continue to be subject to the existing arrangements which require all local authorities and schools to obtain the prior consent of the Secretary of State. There is a strong expectation that any sale proceeds will be recycled for sport or education purposes.

School Assets

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the merits of leaving local authorities in control of school assets in the context of the Education White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: While many local authorities undoubtedly do a good job in managing their school assets, we see considerable advantages to all sides in our proposals in Higher Standards, Better Schools for All to encourage more school to own their assets directly. For schools, the benefits of acquiring foundation status include that they will gain direct responsibility for improving their buildings and land. This is an important strand in developing a strong school ethos.
	Local authorities will benefit from having a new role of commissioning rather than providing education. They will have a new duty to promote choice, diversity and fair access for school places. This means that they still retain responsibility for a strategic overview of capital and asset matters. For instance, they will develop the educational vision and investment plans for their Building Schools for the Future projects.
	Currently, local authorities do not own the assets of the 875 existing foundation schools, of over 2,600 voluntary controlled schools, or of over 4,300 voluntary aided schools, except usually their playing fields. In all, local authorities do not now own the assets of more than a third of all maintained schools. A fifth of all authorities already work successfully with over half their secondary schools either voluntary aided or foundation.

Schools Estate

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the capital value is of the land and buildings occupied by state secondary schools in England.

Jacqui Smith: The capital replacement value of maintained secondary school buildings is estimated to be in the range of 50 billion to 55 billion. The capital value of land occupied by secondary schools building is not held centrally.

School Commissioning

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will name the new schools which have been commissioned through the competitive process, broken down by local education authority; and what criteria were used in making the decision whether to use that process.

Jacqui Smith: There have been no competitions held by local authorities to find alternative providers for new schools. Provisions in the Education Act 2002 and regulations made under that Act prescribe that a local authority may not make its own proposals for additional secondary schools unless it also invites proposals from other interested parties, but under this legislation proposals outside this process are possible from other proposers, and it is open to an authority to support these proposals rather than publish its own.
	We are currently consulting on regulations under the 2005 Act that extend the competitive process to all new secondary schools, including replacement schools, and prevent the publication of proposals outside this process, by either local authorities or other proposers, unless the Secretary of State gives her consent.
	The recent Education White Paper envisages extending these arrangements to all maintained schools, including primary schools.

School Dinners

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to encourage local authorities to provide hot school dinners.

Jacqui Smith: We are investing 220 million over three years to help schools and local authorities transform school meals through training and increased hours for cooks, equipment and a minimum spend on ingredients.
	A targeted school meals grant of 30 million for this year has already been allocated to local authorities with a further 100 million over the following two years. Similarly, 30 million has been granted direct to schools as part of their standards fund allocations for the purposes of improving school food, with a further 60 million over the following two years.
	A condition attached to the targeted school meals grant is that the authority's strategy must include plans to begin the reintroduction of universal hot meals provision, where it does not already exist, by September 2008.

School Dinners

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  in what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools hot lunches are cooked (i) on and (ii) off the school premises in (A) Lincolnshire and (B) Boston and Skegness;
	(2)  what the average cost of a school meal was for (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils in (A) Lincolnshire and (B) Boston and Skegness constituency in the last period for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills does not collect this information centrally.

School Finance

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what weight has been given to the (a) sparsity and (b) deprivation factors in the school funding settlement in (i) 200607 and (ii) 200708.

Jacqui Smith: Weights for deprivation and sparsity are not separately identified with the distribution method for Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 200607 and 200708. That method starts from each authority's budgeted spend for schools in 200506, which largely reflects the historical allocation of resources through the Schools Formula Spending Share (FSS) formula, which had separate weightings for deprivation, sparsity, and area costs. Given the importance the Government attaches to deprivation funding, the summary of indicative allocations of DSG (which can be found on the Teachernet website at www.teachernet.gov.uk/DSG200608/), includes an estimate of funding for deprivation contained within each authority's allocation of DSG. The national average is 10.5 per cent. for 200708 and 10.6 per cent. for 200708. The overall proportion of funding distributed on the basis of sparsity within Schools FSSthe predecessor to DSGwas 0.7 per cent. That proportion was based on research into the additional costs to sparsely populated authorities of keeping open small primary schools, and larger numbers of under fives settings, carried out during the formula review which led to the introduction of the Schools FSS formula. Almost half of all local authorities received no funding for sparsity through the schools FSS formula and the maximum proportion of funding for sparsity across all authorities was 3.6 per cent. The formula for the LEA FSS recognised the increased costs of home to school transport in sparse authorities.

School Finance

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average financial position of (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools was in each local education authority at the latest available date.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The available information is contained within the following table.
	
		Average(141) revenue balance(142)(5508830143) for a local authority maintained primary and secondary school(144) as at 31 March 2005 --  per school
		
			 Local authority name Average (mean)(141) revenue balance(142)(5508830143) per LA maintained primary school(144) Average (mean)(141) revenue balance(142)(5508830143) per LA maintained secondary school(144) 
		
		
			 England 49,565 151,909 
			 Barking and Dagenham 42,519 94,800 
			 Barnet 61,832 149,701 
			 Barnsley 40,613 294,944 
			 Bath and NE Somerset 46,362 152,284 
			 Bedfordshire 32,721 53,640 
			 Bexley 64,343 293,338 
			 Birmingham 79,782 229,272 
			 Blackburn 61,594 392,817 
			 Blackpool 110,061 97,681 
			 Bolton 38,075 81,165 
			 Bournemouth 65,308 15,615 
			 Bracknell Forest 39,937 172,286 
			 Bradford 53,062 202 
			 Brent 69,986 4,854 
			 Brighton and Hove NB UG1 26,053 207,320 
			 Bristol City 42,327 53,594 
			 Bromley 24,822 116,705 
			 Buckinghamshire 29,172 22,226 
			 Bury 51,854 136,678 
			 Calderdale 47,391 225,230 
			 Cambridgeshire 47,242 101,243 
			 Camden 93,604 258,177 
			 Cheshire 38,961 175,632 
			 City of Derby 44,882 63,287 
			 City of Nottingham 39,258 22,180 
			 City of Westminster 80,172 288,025 
			 Cornwall 47,224 219,634 
			 Corporation of London 41,917 n/a 
			 Coventry 70,778 259,229 
			 Croydon 60,459 271,013 
			 Cumbria 25,595 32,834 
			 Darlington 57,642 97,699 
			 Derbyshire 39,653 143,719 
			 Devon 19,751 148,072 
			 Doncaster 47,571 174,859 
			 Dorset 32,300 59,799 
			 Dudley 81,879 152,769 
			 Durham 28,426 176,775 
			 Ealing 87,588 660,976 
			 East Riding 37,025 151,068 
			 East Sussex NB UG1 39,490 134,587 
			 Enfield 118,763 288,425 
			 Essex 59,721 132,664 
			 Gateshead 75,233 414,120 
			 Gloucestershire 37,070 123,157 
			 Greenwich 97,828 335,295 
			 Hackney 108,144 476,684 
			 Halton 69,697 557,184 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 106,690 366,310 
			 Hampshire 44,751 175,618 
			 Haringey 89,850 299,914 
			 Harrow 119,073 230,855 
			 Hartlepool 85,694 280,084 
			 Havering 68,674 157,472 
			 Herefordshire 59,351 147,518 
			 Hertfordshire 58,231 167,761 
			 Hillingdon 103,696 119,333 
			 Hounslow 77,552 136,726 
			 Isle of Wight 38,334 92,831 
			 Isles of Scilly 24,601 n/a 
			 Islington 52,090 40,781 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 85,462 171,873 
			 Kent 65,029 220,111 
			 Kingston upon Hull (Hull City) 45,987 90,285 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 87,898 168,887 
			 Kirklees 55,822 148,696 
			 Knowsley 27,979 165,804 
			 Lambeth 100,547 204,415 
			 Lancashire 60,243 185,790 
			 Leeds 31,975 43,531 
			 Leicester City 71,505 247,767 
			 Leicestershire 38,004 103,212 
			 Lewisham 72,924 272,089 
			 Lincolnshire 32,512 77,001 
			 Liverpool 54,307 111,094 
			 Luton 70,529 146,855 
			 Manchester 56,986 34,031 
			 Medway 79,102 187,011 
			 Merton 41,491 93,271 
			 Middlesbrough 85,063 205,696 
			 Milton Keynes 63,737 226,828 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 45,279 224,720 
			 Newham 99,685 215.306 
			 Norfolk 47,407 166,977 
			 North East Lincolnshire 42,498 195,718 
			 North Lincolnshire 34,787 80,303 
			 North Somerset 44,544 127,957 
			 North Tyneside 19,689 122,703 
			 North Yorkshire 35,039 161,457 
			 Northamptonshire 53,719 155,700 
			 Northumberland 26,603 83,627 
			 Nottinghamshire 40,002 156,379 
			 Oldham 55,914 140,724 
			 Oxfordshire 22,137 76,423 
			 Peterborough 82,517 139,169 
			 Plymouth 41,288 260,125 
			 Poole 65,183 191,230 
			 Portsmouth 55,088 185,011 
			 Reading 64,834 81,698 
			 Redbridge 67,877 200,146 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 72,119 190,071 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 69,306 147,652 
			 Rochdale 54,517 165,676 
			 Rotherham 27,178 117,617 
			 Rutland 23,848 60,901 
			 Salford 26,422 111,668 
			 Sandwell 75,806 351,897 
			 Sefton 89,275 208,464 
			 Sheffield 37,925 126,009 
			 Shropshire 24,743 75,807 
			 Slough 44,567 226,108 
			 Solihull 44,916 184,976 
			 Somerset 30,104 161,854 
			 South Gloucestershire 39,105 213,717 
			 South Tyneside 36,181 212,457 
			 Southampton 49,856 114,068 
			 Southend 53,767 240,379 
			 Southwark 91,784 140,618 
			 St. Helens 52,565 275,177 
			 Staffordshire 36,861 190,808 
			 Stockport 49,925 90,423 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 51,172 195,922 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 55,516 264,515 
			 Suffolk 39,715 85,086 
			 Sunderland 53,101 226,497 
			 Surrey 57,657 75,412 
			 Sutton 73,382 174,768 
			 Swindon 55,009 106,319 
			 Tameside 39,574 103,323 
			 The Wrekin 27,416 106,122 
			 Thurrock 59,828 176,693 
			 Torbay 47,107 203,296 
			 Tower Hamlets 122,802 503,383 
			 Trafford 28,992 188,423 
			 Wakefield 25,167 143,020 
			 Walsall 80,490 150,724 
			 Waltham Forest 80,110 222,981 
			 Wandsworth 69,852 344,714 
			 Warrington 26,102 194,122 
			 Warwickshire 30,450 105,253 
			 West Berkshire 29,910 55,355 
			 West Sussex 60,933 232,074 
			 Wigan 52,099 122,413 
			 Wiltshire 27,754 112,420 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 22,441 63,062 
			 Wirral 29,674 129,508 
			 Wokingham 27,461 66,756 
			 Wolverhampton 61,129 143,821 
			 Worcestershire 37,096 105,204 
			 York City 59,009 81,551 
		
	
	n/afigures not available.
	(141) The average (mean) revenue balance for a local authority is calculated as the combination of the total revenue balance of all the schools included by the local authority on their Section 52 Outturn Statement (Table B) divided by the number of schools reported on the statement.
	(142) A school's total revenue balance is calculated from the combination of any unspent allocations (including unspent Standards Fund grants) and the cumulative balance of income less expenditure from revenue funding sources during the financial year and any balances carried forward from previous years. This is drawn by adding together the committed revenue balance and uncommitted revenue balance columns from local authorities 200405 Section 52 Outturn Statements (Table B).
	(143) Financial data used to determine revenue budgets is rounded to the nearest pound.
	(144) Schools have been allocated to primary and secondary phases of education according to what phase they have been reported under in their Section 52 Outturn Statement.
	Note:
	Data reported using cash terms figures as reported by local authorities as at 14 February 2006.

School Leavers (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have left school at 16 years of age in (a) parliamentary Peterborough constituency and (b) Peterborough local education authority with less than the equivalent of five GCSEs at A to C grades in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The figures requested are shown in the following table:
	
		Proportion of 15-year-olds(145) not achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent(146): Maintained schools only
		
			  Parliamentary constituency of Peterborough(147) City of Peterborough local authority(148) 
		
		
			 1997 60.6  
			 1998 57.6 58.7 
			 1999 57.6 58.9 
			 2000 57.6 58.2 
			 2001 56.8 56.2 
			 2002 56.3 57.2 
			 2003 53.1 53.4 
			 2004 50.6 51.5 
			 2005 45.8 46.5 
		
	
	(145) Age at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August)
	(146) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalences and from 2004 other equivalences approved for use pre 16
	(147) Pupils attending schools located in Peterborough constituency
	(148) City of Peterborough LA did not exist prior to 1998 due to Local Government reorganisation

School Maintenance

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what steps she has taken to ensure improved efficiency in respect of the procurement of school maintenance; and what savings have been made as a consequence;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of savings made as a consequence of the schools capital and building schools for the future programmes.

Jacqui Smith: By moving from patch and mend to long-term strategic capital investment, as in building schools for the future, we expect there to be significant savings over time for both public and private sectors, including in procurement of school maintenance.
	Savings should come, for example, from simplified bidding, paperwork and bureaucracy, improved local asset management, grouped procurement and economies of scale, new joint venture structures, standardisation of processes and components, encouraging the market for the private sector, innovation in construction, benchmarking and testing of supply chains, improvements in the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings, or reductions in poorly maintained or life-expired building stock.
	The first three waves of investment through building schools for the future are gaining momentum, with good evidence of market engagement. This should result in innovation and efficiency savings across the traditional supply chains, which in turn will now be benchmarked nationally, regionally and locally to ensure value for money.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including our capital programmes. These are set out in our efficiency technical note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April.

School Playing Fields

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total area in hectares of school playing fields was in each year since 1995.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not held centrally.

School Playing Fields

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school playing fields in (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridgeshire have been sold since May 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Since May 1997, two applications involving the sale of school playing field capable of forming at least a small sports pitch have been approved at schools in Peterborough. Only one such application has been approved at a school in Cambridgeshire.
	Prior to October 1998, there was no regulation of the sale of school playing fields at local authority controlled schools. If a local authority wanted to sell a school playing field there was nothing to stop it and it could spend the proceeds as it wished.

School Playing Fields

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what records are kept by her Department of the (a) number and (b) area of school playing fields in England;
	(2)  whether there is a register of school playing fields;
	(3)  what criteria are used by her Department to assess the need for school playing fields;
	(4)  what criteria are used by her Department to determine whether a school playing field can be released for change of use.

Jacqui Smith: Data on school playing fields have been supplied to the Department by local education authorities in 2001 and 2003. However, because the data were incomplete and of variable quality, it is not possible to accurately assess the number and area of school playing fields.
	The Department's Building Bulletins 98 and 99 contain the recommendations on what proportion of a schools total area should be allocated to the provision of various areas of playing fields. The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 require schools to have access to team game playing fields proportionate to their pupil numbers and type. Copies of the Buildings Bulletins and the regulations setting out the minimum standards for team game playing fields can be downloaded from the Departments website: www.teachernet.gov.uk.
	Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 prevents local authorities and governing bodies from disposing, or changing the use, of school playing fields, without the prior consent of the Secretary of State. The criteria which applications are assessed fall under three main headings which may be described as schools' needs, community use, and finance. Normally, applications to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields will only be approved in the exceptional circumstances that fulfil these criteria. The Department's Guidance 1017/2004: The Protection of School Playing Fields and Land for Academies set out the measures to underpin the Government's resolve to protect school playing fields. This guidance can also be accessed and downloaded from the Department's website.

School Staff (Checks)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place to ensure that foreign nationals working as teachers do not have criminal convictions in their countries of origin which would make them unsuitable for working with children.

Ruth Kelly: We advise schools to obtain a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure as part of their pre-appointment checks on anyone selected for appointment who is or has been resident in the UK. However, someone who has never lived in this country is unlikely to have a criminal record here and is unlikely to be included in List 99. We therefore advise employers to take extra care in other checks on overseas candidates and to seek information about the person's criminal history from their country of origin wherever possible. The CRB provides advice to employers about countries from which it is possible to obtain such information and how to obtain it.

School Standards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures (a) New Brompton college in Medway, (b) South Leeds high school, (c) Hornby high school in Lancashire, (d) the Myrtle Springs school in Sheffield, (e) the Bishop of Westminster comprehensive school in Bournemouth and (f) Drayton school in Oxfordshire is taking to raise standards; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Each of these schools has low attainment and the Department is working closely with the Secondary National Strategy to ensure that standards in them are being raised. We are aware that action is being taken by the local authority in relation to each school, in some cases with additional support from my Department.
	We are providing extra funding to New Brompton college in Medway to support improvements in staff recruitment and retention, data management and moves towards more personalised learning provision, the development of the vocational curriculum and to enhance management capacity.
	South Leeds high school has been part of a project with five other high schools in Leeds supported by my Department and Education Leeds since 2004. The project involves partnership working, with consultant support, to raise standards in the schools involved.
	Hornby high school in Lancashire is receiving support from the local authority to raise levels of attainment. The authority is confident that there will be a significant increase in the school's higher grade GCSE results this year.
	Myrtle Springs school in Sheffield will be replaced by an academy. This will be known as the Sheffield Springs academy and will open in the school's existing buildings in September 2006. The construction of new buildings for the academy has begun and these are expected to be ready for occupation in January 2007.
	The Bishop of Winchester comprehensive school in Bournemouth was judged to require special measures following an Ofsted inspection in December 2005. The local authority is currently considering an appropriate long-term solution for the school.
	Drayton school in Oxfordshire is being supported by a School Improvement Partnership Board, and is working in partnership with Matthew Arnold school. A proposal for Drayton to be replaced by an academy is currently being developed by Oxfordshire county council and the United Learning Trust. We have agreed feasibility funding for the partnership to determine the practicalities of developing the academy.

Schools-focused Websites

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to integrate schools-focused websites; and what the effect of these measures was on costs.

Maria Eagle: The Department has substantially reduced the number of websites for schools over the last two years. It now manages just three main portals (TeacherNet, Governornet and the Standards Site) which contain important information and resources for members of the schools workforce.
	Extensive work is currently being undertaken to rationalise and migrate these three portals into a single new online service. This is not due to be fully completed until mid 2007, when potential efficiencies in this area will begin to be measured.

Science GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the timetable (a) the double award science GCSE and (b) the new science GCSE and additional science GCSE are expected to take up.

Jacqui Smith: There is no statutory amount of curriculum time that a school should dedicate to teaching any particular GCSE. However, guidance from examining boards suggests around 20 per cent. of the timetable should be spent on studies leading to two science GCSEs. The new science GCSE and the additional science GCSE are expected to take up the same proportion of the timetable as the double award.

Scientific Research Investment Fund

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to improve strategic asset planning at the Scientific Research Investment Fund; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Bill Rammell: Aligned to the third phase of the Science Research Investment Fund and in conjunction with other projects to improve the management of capital programmes, higher education institutions are in the process of preparing robust strategic capital asset management plans.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including the savings arising from strategic asset planning and management. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Scientific Research Investment Fund

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to reduce staff time required for the completion of applications to the Scientific Research Investment Fund; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Bill Rammell: It is anticipated that the introduction of a wholly electronic system for the administration of the third round of the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF 3) will result in a reduction of the staff time required for the completion of applications to the fund.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including the reduction of staff time required to complete applications through SRIF 3. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's autumn performance report and will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April.

Scientific Research Investment Fund

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to introduce wholly electronic administration of all processes relating to the Scientific Research Investment Fund; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Bill Rammell: The intention to introduce a wholly electronic system for the administration of the third round of the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF 3) was announced to the higher education sector in the Science and Innovation Investment Framework document in July 2004.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including the introduction of a wholly electronic system for administration of the SRIF 3 process. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Setting

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what independent research she has evaluated on best practice in setting by ability in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: My Department has commissioned an independent research project on pupil grouping which consists of an extended literature review, which was published on 27 October 2005, and a fieldwork phase, which is expected to report within the next few months. The fieldwork is investigating grouping practices in a range of schools across England and will provide a basis for any further advice and guidance we may decide to issue to schools on setting.

Sex Education

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what powers parents have to find out the content of their children's sex education in schools.

Jacqui Smith: All maintained schools are required to have an up-to-date written policy on sex education available to parents for inspection. This requirement is outlined in Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (DfES 2000) to which all maintained schools are obliged to have regard. In addition, we have explained the rights of parents in the SRE and Parents leaflet and on the DfES Parents Centre website.

Skills Training

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people aged (a) 30 to 39 years, (b) 40 to 49 years and (c) 50 years and over received skills training in (i) South Yorkshire and (ii) Doncaster North constituency in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: The following table shows estimates of the numbers and percentage of people receiving job-related training in South Yorkshire and Doncaster, North constituency. It is based on data from the Local Labour Force Survey which is only available from 200102. For the Doncaster, North constituency, the survey sample was too small to present data by the age groups requested and they have been amalgamated.
	
		Percentage of people receiving job-related training in the last four weeks(149)
		
			  200102 200203 200304 200405 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Doncaster North  
			 3059/64 (150)2,259 (150)7 (150)3,576 (150)11 (150)4,847 (150)13 (150)3,774 (150)10 
			 1659/64 Working age(151) (150)4,785 (150)10 (150)4,897 (150)11 (150)6,673 (150)14 (150)6,680 (150)14 
			  
			 South Yorkshire  
			 3039 30,138 15.7 27,786 14.5 34,409 18.0 33,058 17.7 
			 4049 20,857 12.4 21,581 12.5 25,629 14.4 25,242 13.9 
			 5059/64 9,160 4.8 12,492 6.6 13,741 7.2 15,182 8.0 
			 1659/64 Working age(152) 101,328 13.1 114,290 14.8 129,491 16.7 124,950 16.1 
		
	
	(149) Skills training is assumed to be job-related training for current and future jobs in the four weeks prior to interview.
	(150) These figures indicate small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. They should be treated with caution and in particular, changes from year-to-year should not be used in isolation from the figures for a run of years.
	(151) There were approximately 47,000 1659/64-year-olds in Doncaster, North in 200405.
	(152) There were approximately 776,000 1659/64-year-olds in South Yorkshire in 200405.

Skills Training

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the provision of skills training in Easington constituency; and what opportunities there are for the training of disabled workers.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive has written to my hon. Friend with this information and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	The Government's Skills Strategy, 21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential (July 2003) and Skills: Getting on in business, getting on at work (March 2005), set out our plans for increasing opportunities and entitlement to skills training and for promoting equality of opportunity within this.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 15 February 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (this letter has been passed to myself by Phil Hope MP) regarding the provision of skills training in Easington constituency and what opportunities there are for the training of disabled workers.
	There are a number of LSC funded providers of skills training for residents in the District of Easington. The main provider is East Durham and Houghall Community College. The college offers a wide range of vocational provision, ranging from entry/level one through to level two and three, with local access to Higher Education via a partnership with Sunderland University.
	Four main providers offer Work-based Learning provision in the area. East Durham  Houghall Community College is the largest with over 350 places available. The other local providers are Springboard, Shape Training and Include. In addition, national providers such as CITB and Remit offer opportunities in the District.
	Durham County Council offer a wide range of adult learning courses through their Education in the Community programme. Courses are particularly aimed at encouraging individuals who have been out of learning for a while, to sample non accredited learning in a supportive atmosphere before moving on to more formal qualifications if they wish. Other opportunities available in the area funded by the LSC include Learndirect, Aim High, the Employer Training Pilot (ETP) and several ESF funded projects.
	With respect to opportunities for the training of disabled workers, all the above provision is inclusive and open to anyone including those with disabilities. Nine per cent of learners (1,704 out of 18,858) at East Durham and Houghall Community College, the biggest provider, disclose they have a disability.
	These learners join mainstream provision and are provided with additional support appropriate to their individual needs, funded through LSC learner support funds. Classes are accessible to those with physical disabilities, and teaching and learning materials are adapted as appropriate for individual needs.
	The college has links with Glendene special school and the Shinwell Centre, both of which cater for disabled learners. Transport for the disabled is available in the form of two adapted minibuses. The college is also developing best practice when dealing with learners with emotional learning difficulties for the whole of County Durham.
	I trust this is helpful.

Small Group Tuition

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local education authorities will receive funds from that part of the Dedicated Schools Grant earmarked for small group tuition; and how much each of them will receive.

Jacqui Smith: All local authorities will receive some funding within their Dedicated School Grant (DSG) allocations for personalised learning, from which they will be able to make available funding to schools for small group tuition. A summary of allocations of DSG to each local authority has been placed in the House Library, including indicative allocations of funding for personalised learning. This information is also available on the Teachernet website at:
	www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/schoolfunding/200607_funding_arrangements/DSG200608/

Special Educational Needs

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding was available for special educational needs in primary schools in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will take steps to increase such funding.

Maria Eagle: During the 200506 financial year, local authorities in England budgeted net expenditure of 4.1 billion for the provision of education for children with special educational needs (SEN). Certain elements of this budgeted expenditure are retained centrally by the local authority and SEN funding cannot be attributed to a particular phase of education. An overall figure for the budgeted net expenditure for special educational needs in primary schools is not therefore available. However, expenditure can be broken down as shown in the following table.
	It is for local authorities to make appropriate provision for all pupils in their area, including primary pupils with SEN, distributing funding to their schools through locally agreed funding formulae. All local authorities have benefited from the significant increases in funding that this Government have committed to education since 1997 and are set to receive an average increase of 14 per cent. per pupil in dedicated schools grant over the next two years.
	
		The Education (Budget Statements) (England) Regulations 2005, budgeted expenditure on the provision of education for children with special educational needs1, 2, 3, 4 during 200506, provisional cash terms figures(157)as reported by local authorities as at the 17 February 2006 -- 
		
			  Nursery Primary Secondary Special 
		
		
			 SEN element of the schools budget(153) 18,721,836 282,141,763 205,523,034 616,039,625 
			 Funding delegated to LA maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools identified as Notional SEN(154) 9,500,929 931,756,617 712,773,582  
			 Individual Schools Budget (ISB) for special schools(155)1,243,203.720 
			 Budgeted SEN expenditure by phase 28,222,764 1,213,898,379 918,296,615 1,859,243,345 
			 Budgeted central spend by LAs on SEN(156) 
			 Total Budgeted expenditure on SEN 
		
	
	
		
		
			  Gross Income Net 
		
		
			 SEN element of the schools budget(153) 1,122,426,257 162,296,536 960,129,721 
			 Funding delegated to LA maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools identified as Notional SEN(154) 1,654,031,127  1,654,031,127 
			 Individual Schools Budget (ISB) for special schools(155) 1,243,203,720  1,243,203,720 
			 Budgeted SEN expenditure by phase 4,019,661,104 162,296,536 3,857,364,568 
			 Budgeted central spend by LAs on SEN(156) 277,905,733 14,916,874 262,988,859 
			 Total Budgeted expenditure on SEN 4,297,566,837 177,213,410 4,120,353,427 
		
	
	(153) The SEN element of the schools budget includes planned expenditure on the provision for pupils with statements and the provision for non-statemented pupils with SEN, support for inclusion, inter authority recoupment and fees for pupils at independent special schools and abroad.
	(154) Funding delegated to LA maintained nursery, primary and special schools are only indicative of the amount that might be spent by schools on SEN.
	(155) The ISB for special schools will include some general education costs for pupils with SEN in addition to those costs specifically for SEN.
	(156) The budgeted central spend by local authorities on SEN includes planned expenditure on educational psychology service, local authority functions in relation to child protection, therapies and other health-related services, parent partnership, guidance and information, the monitoring of SEN provision and SEN administration, assessment and co-ordination. Budgeted central expenditure cannot be attributed to a particular phase of education.
	Notes:
	1. 200506 data is provisional and is subject to change by the local authority.
	2. In addition to the figures in the table, local authorities also budget net expenditure of 500 million for SEN transport.
	Source:
	The data are drawn from local authorities 200506 Section 52 Budget Statements (Tables 1 and 2) submitted to the DfES.

Special Educational Needs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to promote more effective (a) measurement of and (b) accountability for progress made by pupils with special educational needs across a wide range of abilities.

Maria Eagle: The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice provides practical advice to local authorities, maintained schools and other settings on their statutory duties to identify, assess and make provision for children's SEN. The code helps these bodies make effective decisions but it does not, and could not, tell them what to do in each individual case. The code sets out a graduated approach to providing support. This involves regular reviews of the impact, on a child's progress, of support that is additional to or different from that which is provided as part of the school's usual differentiated curriculum offer and strategies.
	The SEN Code states that all children with SEN should be offered full access to a broad, balanced and relevant education, including the National Curriculum (NC). Pupil progress is assessed at the end of each key stage against the NC levels and this applies to pupils both with and without SEN. Pupils working below level 1 of the NC can be assessed using the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority guidance: Planning, teaching, and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties, which provides eight level descriptions leading up to NC level 1.
	The development of the New Relationship with Schools brings a focus on how well schools meet the needs of all their pupils. All schools will carry out an annual self-evaluation and publish a single plan setting out their priorities for improvement in which they will need to show how all their pupils are achieving. This process will highlight any gaps in achievement between different groups of children, which will then be discussed with a locally appointed School Improvement Partner.

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children with special educational needs have been refused admission to (a) foundation schools, (b) academies and (c) proposed trust schools in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: Information on the number of children with special educational needs but without statements who did not gain admittance to their parents' preferred schools is not collected centrally. The governing bodies of maintained schools, including foundation schools, named on a child's statement of special educational needs must admit that child. Proposed trust schools will need to act in the same way, as with any other foundation school without a foundation. For parents seeking a place at an academy, academies are obliged by virtue of their funding agreements with the Secretary of State to consent to being named on statements unless admitting the child would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children and no reasonable steps may be made to secure compatibility.

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many admission cases to (a) foundation schools, (b) academies and (c) proposed trust schools have been referred to an independent educational tribunal for appeal concerning children with special educational needs in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: Information is not collected centrally on the number of appeals to admission appeal panels involving children with special educational needs without statements. In 2004/05 the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal registered six appeals seeking placements at academies and 31 seeking placements at foundation schools. There are no trust schools yet but they will need to act in the same way as any other foundation school.

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions (a) she and (b) her officials have had with groups representing children with special educational needs on admissions policies in (i) foundation schools, (ii) academies and (iii) proposed trust schools.

Jacqui Smith: Ministers and officials meet groups representing children with special educational needs from time to time. Discussions cover a range of issues and can include school admissions.

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions (a) she and (b) her officials have had with potential sponsors of proposed trust schools in relation to admissions policies on children with special educational needs.

Jacqui Smith: Ministers and officials have met with a number of schools and other interested groups who are interested in trusts, including potential partners. No specific meetings have been held on the subject of SEN admissions, although a range of topics have emerged during discussion of which admissions is one.

Special Educational Needs

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are receiving special needs provisions in Lancashire.

Maria Eagle: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		All schools: Number of pupils with special educational needsas at January 2005Lancashire local authority area
		
			   Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Number of pupils on roll(157) Number Percentage(158) Number Percentage(158) 
		
		
			 Nursery 2,148 34 1.6 77 3.6 
			 Primary 94,960 2,362 2.5 13,776 14.5 
			 Secondary 75,936 2,273 3.0 8,638 11.4 
			 Special 2,205 2,201 99.8 4 0.2 
			 Pupil Referral Units 341 34 10.0 225 66.0 
			 Independent 6,993 487 7.0 369 5.3 
			 All schools 182,583 7,391 4.0 23,089 12.6 
		
	
	(157) Number (headcount) of pupils. Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(158) Number of pupils by SEN provision expressed as a percentage of the number of pupils on roll.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Special Educational Needs

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many teachers have had special needs training since qualification since 1997;
	(2)  how many hours training is given to special needs teachers in (a) (i) identifying and (ii) teaching special needs and (b) producing information for statementing; and what the contents is of that training;
	(3)  how many specialist trained dyslexia teachers there are in each local education authority; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	In order to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status, trainee teachers must demonstrate that they understand their responsibilities under the statutory Special Educational Needs code of practice, know how to seek advice from specialists on less common types of SEN, can differentiate their teaching to meet the needs of individual pupils, including those with SEN, and can identify and support pupils who experience behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.
	The Standards for the Induction Support Programme for those awarded QTS also require that Newly Qualified Teachers can demonstrate that they can plan effectively to meet the needs of pupils in their classes with SEN, with or without a statement, and in consultation with the SEN Co-ordinator, can contribute to the preparation and implementation of individual education plans or the equivalent.
	Once qualified, all teachers are expected to identify their development needs through performance management arrangements, and to address identified needs by undertaking appropriate professional development. This can include strengthening SEN knowledge in areas such as dyslexia. All schools receive a School Development Grant which they are able to use to support improvements in any aspect of teaching and learning, including training. Local authorities may retain a proportion of this grant, under certain conditions, to provide specific training and development of SEN.

Special Measures

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Norfolk have been in special measures in each of the last five years; and how many of them have come out of special measures.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows the number of primary and secondary schools in Norfolk local authority that were in special measures at the end of the academic years 2000/01 to 2004/05. It also shows the number of Norfolk primary and secondary schools that came out of special measures during the same years.
	
		
			  Primary schools in special measures Primary schools removed from special measures Secondary schools in special measures Secondary schools removed from special measures 
		
		
			 2000/01 8 4 1 1 
			 2001/02 6 5 0 1 
			 2002/03 (159)6 2 0 0 
			 2003/04 5 (159)4 0 0 
			 2004/05 2 4 3 0 
		
	
	(159) Includes one middle deemed primary school.

Special Measures

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in West Lancashire were in special measures in each of the last five years; and how many of them have come out of special measures in each year.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows the number of primary and secondary schools in the West Lancashire constituency that were in special measures at the end of the academic years 2000/01 to 2004/05. It also shows the number of West Lancashire primary and secondary schools that came out of special measures during the same years.
	
		
			  Primary schools in special measures Primary schools removed from special measures Secondary schools in special measures Secondary schools removed from special measures 
		
		
			 2000/01 1 1 0 0 
			 2001/02 1 0 0 0 
			 2002/03 1 0 0 0 
			 2003/04 0 1 0 0 
			 2004/05 0 0 0 0

Specialist Schools

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received relating to the specialist school achievement, Immersion programme.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has not received (a) feedback or (b) other representations relating to the Specialist Schools Achievement programme: Immersion programme.

Sprinkler Systems

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what is her Department's policy on the inclusion of sprinkler systems in new schools;
	(2)  if she will make regulations to ensure that newly built schools have sprinkler systems.

Jacqui Smith: Since April 2001, all new building work at schools has been subject to the Building Regulations, which are the responsibility of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). These regulations do not currently require the installation of sprinklers in schools, but that does not prohibit local education authorities from specifying their use.
	We believe that the decision on whether to install sprinklers is best taken locally. For example, in our Managing School Facilities Guide 6, Fire Safety, we give the example of a school in an area of high arson risk as being a suitable candidate for having sprinklers installed. However, we recognised the need to provide more detailed advice than before. Liaising with ODPM, we therefore produced new draft guidance on fire safetyBuilding Bulletin (BB) 100, Designing and Managing Against the Risk of Fire in Schools. It stresses the value of using risk assessments to determine what sort of fire detection and alarm systems should be used in each school, and whether or not sprinklers should be installed. Public consultation on the draft of BB 100 was completed in November last year and an analysis of the responses should be finalised next month. We expect to be able to publish the final version by September this year.
	Concurrently ODPM is carrying out a review of the fire safety aspects of the Building Regulations, Part B, and its accompanying guidance Approved Document B (ADB). Public consultation on draft revised versions of these was also completed in November. An analysis of responses should be finalised around the end of March.

Sprinkler Systems

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of new schools built in each year since 1996 had sprinkler systems;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the number of schools fitted with (a) an automatic sprinkler system, (b) a fire detection system linked to the fire service, (c) a monitored intruder alarm and (d) CCTV.

Jacqui Smith: We do not have information on, or estimates of, the numbers of schools fitted with any of these systems, but we have issued advice on their use. Our Managing School Facilities Guide 6, Fire Safety, includes guidance on the installation of fire detection and alarm systems, and sprinklers (see www.teachernet.gov.uk/fire). More detailed information and advice will be included in our forthcoming fire safety guide for schools, Building Bulletin 100, Designing and Managing Against the Risk of Fire in Schools. This will stress the value of using risk assessments to determine what sort of systems should be used.
	Guidance on the installation and operation of intruder alarms and CCTV, and on a range of other security measures in schools, are included in our Managing School Facilities Guide 4, Improving Security in Schools.

Staffing

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the target level of employment, expressed as full-time equivalents, is in her Department by April 2008 in order to meet her Department's Civil Service workforce reductions target set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Bill Rammell: The target level of employment for April 2008 for my Department, to meet its workforce reductions set out in the 2004 Spending Review, is 3,200 fte.

Standards Fund

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much from the Standards Fund was (a) spent by local education authorities and (b) devolved to schools in 200405; and what the budgeted expenditure from the fund is for (a) 200506 and (b) 200607.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows how much was spent by local authorities from grants paid through the Standards Fund in 200405, and how much of that amount was devolved to schools.
	
		Standards fund expenditure 200405 --  billion
		
			 Standards Fund Total expenditure by local authorities Amount devolved to schools 
		
		
			 Standards Fund Recurrent 2.13 1.60 
			 Standards Fund Capital 2.14 1.37 
			 School Standards Grant 0.86 0.86 
			 Teachers Pay Reform Grant 0.84 0.83 
			 Transitional Support Grant 0.12 0.12 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for the Standards Fund include government grant and local authority contributions.
	2. Schools and local authorities had until 31 August 2005 to spend their Standards Fund allocation.
	3. Figures for Standards Fund and School Standards Grant are based on information reported by local authorities.
	4. School Standards Grant is paid to local authorities and must be devolved in full to schools.
	5. Schools can carry forward their School Standards Grant into future financial years.
	6. The figure for Teachers Pay Reform Grant is the amount paid to local authorities. Data on the amount devolved to schools was not collected for 200405. The figure shown is an estimate based on information from local authorities on the amount devolved to schools in 200506.
	7. The figure for Transitional Support Grant is the amount paid to local authorities. The grant must be fully devolved to schools based on plans submitted to the Department by local authorities.
	The following table shows the budgeted amounts for grants paid through the Standards Fund for 200506 and 200607.
	
		Standards Fund 200506 and 200607 --  billion
		
			  200506 200607 
		
		
			 Standards Fund Recurrent* 2.5 2.7 
			 Standards Fund Capital* 3.0 3.5 
			 School Standards Grant 0.9 1.0 
			 Teachers Pay Reform Grant 0.9 n/a 
			 Transitional Support Grant 0.06 n/a 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for the Standards Fund include government grant and local authority contributions.
	2. All figures are provisional.
	3. Teachers Pay Reform Grant will be transferred into Dedicated Schools Grant from 200607.
	4. Transitional Support Grant does not continue beyond 200506.
	5. Allocation figures for 200506 and 200607 are still subject to change.
	6. Final allocation figures for 200607 will depend on pupil numbers reported in the January 2006 School Census.

Streaming

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made towards the application of streaming in schools as recommended in the Government's 1997 manifesto; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Our 1997 Manifesto acknowledged that children are not all of the same ability, nor do they learn at the same speed and recommended setting children in classes by ability to maximise progress.
	We have encouraged schools to use setting since 1997, and putting children in ability groups within a class is now commonplace in primary schools. In secondary schools the majority of lessons in English, mathematics, science and modern foreign languages are set by ability and evidence suggests that there are more young people taught in ability sets now, than in 1997. However, schools are best placed to know the learning needs of their pupils and must use their own professional judgement to decide when and how to group pupils and set by ability.
	We will continue through the National Strategies and our Gifted and Talented programme to offer advice and guidance to schools on classroom practice so that they can make decisions about how to use pupil setting as part of their overall commitment to personalising and tailoring learning to meet the needs of all their pupils.

Student Finance

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent estimate she has made of the annual amount of student debt that is written off.

Bill Rammell: Using the principles of Resource Accounting and Budgeting, we account for the expected cost of writing off student loans (loans which are not expected to be paid back where amounts are still outstanding after 25 years (except for arrears) or due to the death or permanent disability of the borrower) over the lifetime of the loans in the year the loans are issued. In 200405 we estimate that of the 2.47 billion (face value) loans issued to students in that year, the future write off costs over the lifetime of those loans will be some 124 million. Annual estimates of future write off costs are published within the Department's Resource Accounts.

Student Finance

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to increase the proportion of student loans repayments due which are collected; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of these measures.

Bill Rammell: Student loans are only repayable when borrowers reach the repayment threshold of 15,000 and most loans are collected by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through the Pay As You Earn or Self Assessment tax system. There can be delays in matching up the information provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC) about a borrower's loan account with the relevant tax records. The Department has agreed a series of process improvements with both HMRC and the SLC to ensure loan accounts can be linked more effectively to national insurance numbers and there are performance measures for both organisations aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the repayment system. It is too early to give a view on the success of these measures.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including increasing the proportion of student loans repayments due which are collected. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Student Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what restrictions there are on the Student Loan Company that prevent it from sharing information about its borrowers with (a) other lenders and (b) credit reference agencies.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2006
	Disclosure of information about individual student loans is governed by the provisions of:
	(a) the Education (Student Loans) Act 1990 and relevant credit agreements for loans entered into under the mortgage-style loan scheme; and
	(b) the Data Protection Act 1998 for both mortgage-style and income contingent loans, and the Higher Education Act 2004 for income contingent loans.
	For certain loans, disclosure may not be made for marketing or for soliciting custom for goods or services. The Government's policy has been not to share data for credit assessment, since student loans themselves are made without such assessments.

Student Participation Rates

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the participation rate of each age group in (a) higher education and (b) first degree courses in (i) Milton Keynes and (ii) England was in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The current measure of higher education initial participation is the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR), which is used to measure progress towards the Government's aim of having 50 per cent. of 18 to 30-year-olds in higher education by 2010. This covers English-domiciled 17 to 30-year-old first time entrants to HE courses, at UK HEIs and English FECs, who remain on their course for at least six months. The figure is expressed as a proportion of the 17 to 30-year-old population of England. HEIPR cannot be disaggregated by smaller areas, and it cannot be calculated for earlier years than 1999/2000. The latest figures available for England are shown in the following table.
	
		Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) for English domiciled entrants (full-time and part-time) to higher education courses from 1999/2000 to 2003/04(160)
		
			  All HE courses (percentage) 
		
		
			 1999/2000 41 
			 2000/01 42 
			 2001/02 42 
			 2002/03 43 
			 2003/04 43 
		
	
	(160) Calculations are based on data provided by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and the Learning and Skills Council.
	Source:
	National Statistics Statistical first Release 14/2004, Participation Rates in Higher Education for Academic Years 1999/20002003/2004 (Provisional).
	The latest available figures on participation by local areas were published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in January in Young Participation in England, which is available from their website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_03/. HEFCE has calculated a Young Participation Rate (YPR (A)), which is the proportion of young people in a given area who go on to enter full-time higher education at age 18 or 19. This measure covers the period 19972000. This proportion is disaggregated by parliamentary constituency, and the figures for England and North East Milton Keynes are shown in the following table. Young Participation Rates are not available for first degrees.
	
		Young Participation Rate (YPR (A)) -- Percentage
		
			 Year cohort aged 18 in: North East Milton Keynes England 
		
		
			 1997/98 27 29 
			 1998/99 27 29 
			 1999/2000 27 29 
			 2000/01 30 30 
		
	
	Source:
	HEFCE Young Participation in Higher Education.

Student Support

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the (a) costs incurred and (b) savings made as a consequence of the centralisation and electronic processing of applications for student support.

Bill Rammell: The Department published the report of the End to End Review of Higher Education Student Finance Delivery in England on 31 January. Its vision of an online student finance service that meets customer expectations is consistent with the Government's aim to transform the delivery of public services. Of the options in the report for carrying out the assessment and payment of student finance, we are attracted to a centrally-provided service for which a single organisation would be responsible, working with others to ensure we meet the needs of individuals requiring local assistance.
	The Department is discussing the report with key stakeholders, including local authority representatives given the potential impact on their staff. I have commissioned a feasibility study into the implementation of its recommendations and options, including an appraisal of the associated costs and benefits. I expect this work to be completed in the spring and will make a further announcement in due course.

Supply Teachers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on supply teachers in each of the last three financial years; and what the forecast amount is for each of the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: The available information is contained within the table. The Department does not make forecasts of projected spend on supply teachers:
	
		Expenditure on supply teachers1, 2 by local authority maintained schools(163) since 200203
		
			  Total gross expenditure by local authority maintained schools on supply teachers1, 2, 3, 4 () 
		
		
			 200203 846,052,865 
			 200304 830,565,157 
			 200405 816,656,125 
		
	
	(161) Includes both the salaries and wages of all supply teaching staff employed directly by the school who are covering curriculum release, long term absence, sickness absence and training absence as well as the cost paid to an agency for supply teaching staff that have been brought in to cover teacher absence.
	(162) Figures do not include any expenditure on supply teacher insurance. Nor do they net off any receipts from supply teacher insurance claims. Also excluded is any expenditure on supply teachers incurred centrally by the local authority.
	(163) Figures only cover local authority maintained primary, secondary and special schools. LA maintained nursery schools were not recorded in 200203 while in 200304 and 200405 total expenditure on supply teachers by local authority maintained nursery schools was 2.8 million and 4.1 million respectively. However the coverage for these two years differs and hence figures have been excluded to provide a comparable time series.
	(164) Figures are drawn from local authorities' Section 52 Outturn Statements submitted to the DfES and reported in cash terms as at 8 February 2006.

Sure Start

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the unit cost per child was of the Sure Start Local Programme (SSLP) and children's centres in SSLP areas in 200405; and what the estimated unit cost is for 200506 and 200607.

Beverley Hughes: We do not collect information on the unit cost per child for Sure Start local programmes or for Children's Centre services.

Sure Start

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to bring Sure Start Local Programme financial management and monitoring under local authority control; and what assessment she has made of the impact upon costs (a) to local authorities and (b) elsewhere in Government.

Beverley Hughes: From April 2006 revenue grants for Sure Start local programmes will be paid direct to local authorities as part of the General Sure Start Grant. These new arrangements will allow local authorities to make efficiency savings on their management and administration costs and will reduce central administration costs.

Sure Start

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people who began SureStart courses completed them in each year for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 16 February 2006
	Information on the number of parents completing courses provided by Sure Start local programmes is not collected centrally.

Teacher Convictions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2006, Official Report, column 1617W, on teacher convictions, how many relevant (a) convictions and (b) cautions were reported to her Department by police in accordance with Annex A, Schedule 2 of Home Office Circular 45/86 in each year since 1997; and how many of these were relating to (i) violence, (ii) indecency, (iii) dishonesty, (iv) drink and (v) drugs.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available. There is no central record to identify how many cautions and convictions were reported to the Department in each year since 1997 and to what type of offence each caution or conviction relates.

Teacher Convictions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2006, Official Report, column 1617W, on teacher convictions, how many registered teachers have been reported for relevant (a) convictions and (b) cautions to her Department by police in accordance with annex A, schedule 2 of Home Office Circular 45/86 in each year since 1997; and how many of these were reported for offences relating to (i) violence, (ii) indecency, (iii) dishonesty, (iv) drink and (v) drugs.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available. There is no central record to identify how many cautions and convictions were reported to the Department in each year since 1997 and to what type of offence each caution or conviction relates.

Teachers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of those who completed a teacher training course in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005 are employed in England as teachers.

Jacqui Smith: The proportion of successful completers of conventional initial teacher training courses employed as a teacher within six months of completing their training is derived from the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey and data from initial teacher training providers.
	There was no information for 12 per cent. of trainees who were awarded Qualified Teacher Status in England in 2004, but of the remaining 88 per cent., 80 per cent. were teaching in the maintained sector in the UK and 91 per cent. in any sector in the UK, 5 per cent. were seeking a teaching post and 5 per cent. were not actively seeking a teaching post (figures do not add to 100 per cent. due to rounding). For those who qualified in 2003, there was no information for 13 per cent., but for the remaining 87 per cent., the figures were the same as for 2004.
	Information is not yet available for 2005.

Teachers

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers there were in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested was published in the Statistics of Education, School Workforce in England Volume, 2005 edition, on 26 January 2006, table D1 refers. A copy of this has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Alternatively this publication is available on the Department's website at the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000633/index.shtml

Teachers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching vacancies, including positions filled by temporary staff, there are in secondary schools in (a) Leicester and (b) England.

Jacqui Smith: The following table gives the number of teacher vacancies and vacancies including temporarily filled posts in maintained schools in Leicester local authorities and England, January 2005, the latest year available.
	
		Teacher vacancies and vacancies including temporarily filled posts in maintained secondary schools in Leicestershire and Leicester local authorities and in England, January 2005
		
			  Vacancies(165) Total vacancies including temporarily filled posts(166) 
			  Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time 
		
		
			 Leicestershire 13 2 30 3 
			 Leicester 7 1 14 2 
			 England 1,553 199 3,424 589 
		
	
	(165) Advertised vacancies for permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one term.
	(166) Also includes posts covered by a teacher on a contract of no more than 3 terms.
	Source:
	DfES annual 618G survey.

Teachers

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the Teachers' Loans budget has been written off.

Jacqui Smith: The Repayment of Teachers' Loans Scheme spent 75,270,000 in the period between the start of the pilot scheme in September 2002 and end January 2006.

Teachers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme for new entrants.

Ruth Kelly: Negotiations are continuing with teacher union and employer representatives on a package of reforms to the Teachers' Pension Scheme that will include the introduction of a normal pension age of 65 for new entrants. The precise details of the reform package and the date from which changes will be implemented will be the subject of a statutory consultation exercise that is scheduled to begin in the spring.

Teachers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the administration of the Teachers' Pension Scheme; and what the effect on costs was of re-tendering the contract to administer the scheme.

Jacqui Smith: The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) is administered on behalf of the Department by Capita Business Services Ltd. who were awarded a seven year contract following a competitive tendering exercise in 2003.
	This contract is delivering significant service improvement and value for money benefits, including savings of some 500,000 a year compared to the previous contract price. Both the National Audit Office and the Office of Government Commerce Gateway Review process have confirmed the delivery of the expected business benefits from the re-tendering exercise.

Training Allowances

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was of minimum training allowances for unwaged trainees on work based learning in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) through an annual Grant Letter that sets out the LSC's key priorities. The operational delivery of individual programmes, taking account of these priorities and the funding made available by the Department, is a matter for the LSC.
	The following table details the figures for work based learning for the relevant years. All amounts are rounded to the nearest 1 million.
	
		
			  200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Work-based learning youth 565 615 606 
			 E2E 206 247 220 
			 Work based learning adult 213 243 269 
			 Total 984 1,105 1,095 
		
	
	Note:
	200304 and 200405 figures are from LSC audited accounts. 200506 figures are latest LSC allocations.
	The Minimum Training Allowance (MTA) is 40 per week and is paid to unwaged trainees. The LSC has responsibility for the MTA and holds the information about the detailed expenditure on the MTA for unwaged trainees. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 14 February 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question where you asked the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the cost was of minimum training allowances for unwaged trainees on work based learning in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506.
	In the academic year 2003/04 the LSC expended 77m on allowances for young people. In 2004/05 this reduced to 67m. This reduction is due to more apprentices being employed on the first day of their training meaning that the employer pays a wage of at least 80 per week. Currently only 15% of apprentices do not receive a wage directly from their employer.
	The 2005/06 academic year is still in progress and will see the introduction of Educational Maintenance Allowances to replace the Minimum Training Allowances in WBL. This transition will bring to an end the inequalities between allowances in WBL and Further Education.
	The main impact of this change will be that those apprentices and learners on Entry to Employment (E2E) who are not receiving a wage will receive EMA and family benefits such as Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits and Income Support.
	I trust this provides all the information you require and should you wish to discuss this further please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Street on 02476 823513 or by email on kevin.street@lsc.gov.uk.

Transferable Content Procurement

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to establish a demand aggregation and content panel in respect of the procurement of transferable content development; and what the costs of such a panel have been.

Phil Hope: No steps have been taken to establish a demand aggregation and content panel in respect of the procurement of transferable content development. No costs have therefore been incurred in respect of such a panel.
	Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) has a wide remit to improve the procurement and value for money of technology related products and services. It works with stakeholders in the educational, heritage and museum sectors to make it easier to find and re-use or share content between sectors, and help lower costs.
	In the further education and higher education sectors JISC (the Joint Information Systems Committee) has worked for many years on the provision of aggregated arrangements for content and software and have invested in projects to establish repositories and tools which can be used across the sector.

Transferable Content Procurement

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to unify procurement of transferable content development; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Phil Hope: JISC (the Joint Information Systems Committee) has demonstrated considerable savings through the systems put in place to procure content for higher education and further education institutions. As a result of this success, JISC is setting up a procurement company to grow this approach, including for other education sectors.
	JISC negotiates a wide range of agreements for online resources. Some of these agreements are licences for datasets which are continually updated. Here the JISC collections team aims to achieve deeply discounted annual subscription fees for its community. These fees are banded according to institutional size and budget.
	Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) is collaborating with JISC to seek opportunities for unifying procurement. Further actions have been agreed to identify candidate resources for cross-sector use.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including making content cheaper. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April 2006.

Travellers

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on education provision for Traveller children.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 February 2006
	We are concerned that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils are among the lowest achieving in our schools. In 2003 the Government launched a national strategy to tackle the underachievement of minority ethnic pupils. This included a range of initiatives aimed at supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people, including a national pilot project testing strategies to improve attendance and raise attainment.
	The findings from this pilot have informed the development of a national programme of work to support local authorities and schools with large numbers of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to better meet their needs. This will be launched in April 2006 and follows up a commitment we made in the Schools White Paper.

Truancy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on truancy levels in schools in (a) Leicester and (b) England;
	(2)  how many hours of school were missed due to truancy in each academic year between 1997 and 2005 in (a) Leicester and (b) England.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold data on the number of hours of school missed due to truancy. In 2005, the proportion of half day sessions missed due to unauthorised absence (of which truancy plays a part) in maintained primary schools in Leicester city was 0.70 per cent. and for maintained secondary schools 2.86 per cent. The comparative figures for England were 0.43 per cent. for primary schools and 1.23 per cent. for secondary schools. In September 2005, the Government announced a drive against pupils with high unauthorised absences in 146 secondary schools which account for one in five of all instances of unauthorised absence across the country. We have now extended this to cover 198 secondary schools and an estimated 13,000 pupils. This drive will provide an intensive package of support and challenge to these pupils and their families.

Truancy

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many hours of school were missed due to truancy in each academic year between 1997 and 2005 in (a) Tamworth, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of truancy levels in schools in (a) Tamworth, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold data on the number of hours of school missed due to truancy or the levels of truancy. In 2005, the proportion of half day sessions missed due to unauthorised absence (of which truancy forms a part) in maintained primary schools in Tamworth constituency was 0.28 per cent. and for maintained secondary schools 1.09 per cent. For Staffordshire local authority 0.19 per cent. of half days were missed in primary schools and 0.62 per cent. in secondary schools. The comparative figures for England were 0.43 per cent. for primary schools and 1.23 per cent. for secondary schools.
	In September 2005, the Government announced a drive against pupils with high unauthorised absences in 146 secondary schools which account for one in five of all instances of unauthorised absence across the country. We have now extended this to cover 198 secondary schools and an estimated 13,000 pupils. This drive will provide an intensive package of support and challenge to these pupils and their families.

Truancy

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many truancy sweeps have taken place within the Peterborough local education authority in each year since 1999; how many children were stopped in that period; how many children stopped did not have a valid reason for absence; how many hours of police time were spent on such sweeps; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: National truancy sweeps in England have been co-ordinated by the Department since December 2002. The sweeps usually take place during the autumn and spring terms. Data are collected from each local authority (LA) which participates in the national sweeps. We do not collect data on the length of time spent on the sweeps by either local authority staff or police officers.
	The Government believe that truancy sweeps are an effective tool to raise the profile of school attendance in the community and help to stop those pupils who may be in the early stages of drifting into the habit of truancy. They also reinforce the message to pupils and their families that school and LAs take the issue of attendance seriously. Since nationally co-ordinated sweeps began in 2002 some 92,000 pupils have been stopped: 37,000 (nearly 40 per cent.) of them were out of school without a valid reason and 42 per cent. (almost 16,000) of those without a valid reason were with an adult.
	
		Data for Peterborough local authority
		
			 Truancy sweeps Total number of truancy sweeps Total stopped Total stopped with no valid reason for being out of school Total stopped over the year with no valid reason for being out of school 
		
		
			 Autumn 2002 Not known 53 38 38 
			 Spring 2003 1 14 10  
			 Autumn 2003 3 29 17 27 
			 Spring 2004 2 49 3  
			 Autumn 2004 3 87 80 83 
			 Spring 2005 2 71 46 46 
			 Autumn 2005 Data is being analysed

Truancy

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the average number of pupils per school day who were absent without authorisation in the latest period for which an estimate is available.

Jacqui Smith: Absence from school has declined in each of the last four years and, at 6.44 per cent., is at the lowest level since records began. The figure for unauthorised absence in 2004/05 was 0.78 per cent. Applying this to the total number of pupils of compulsory school age in all schools gives the equivalent of an average of 55,000 pupils recorded as absent each day without authorisation. Unauthorised absence includes pupils who arrive late; term-time holidays taken without the school's permission; and absences where the explanation is unsatisfactory.

Trust Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the (a) schools and (b) organisations which have expressed an interest in setting up a trust school.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has discussed trust school policy and/or forming a trust for a school with a wide range of schools and organisations. We do not hold a comprehensive list of every organisation that has expressed interest or asked for information.
	A number of the schools and organisations with whom we have discussed trust schools with since publication of the White Paper are listed as follows. Representatives of the organisations and schools listed have:
	agreed that we can refer in public to their interest in working with the Government to develop the trust school model, and/or
	agreed that their thinking around trust schools can be used as a case study, and/or
	attended one of the recent seminars on trust schools.
	We are also engaged in early discussions with a number of other schools and organisationswe will release information about them once they have agreed to be involved in a pathfinder (except in cases where release might prejudice discussions with stakeholders in the project) or if they have agreed to be publicly named as working with the Government to develop the trust school model.
	(a) Schools
	Abbs Cross School
	Beaumont Hill School
	Callington Community College
	Comberton Village College
	Deacon's School
	Deanery C of E High School
	Grange Primary School
	Greensward College
	Haberdashers' Federation
	Haybridge School
	Hereford Technology School
	Joseph Ruston School
	Kemnal Technology College
	Ladybridge High School
	Monkseaton Community High School
	Ninestiles School
	Outwood Grange School
	Prendergast School
	Priory LSST School
	Sawtry Community College
	Shireland Language College
	Thorpe Bay School
	West Exe Technology College
	Wymondham High School
	(b) Organisations
	Anglia Ruskin University
	Barnfield College
	Barnsley LA
	Bolton LA
	Brunei University
	BT Group
	Business in the Community
	Catholic Education Service
	CfBT
	Church of England
	Cirencester College
	City of London
	Creative Partnerships
	EMI
	Exeter University
	George Spencer Foundation
	Girls' Day School Trust
	HSBC Education Trust
	Independent Schools Council
	Kent University
	Kings College London
	Knowsley LA
	KPMG
	Lewisham College
	Lincolnshire County Council
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London South Bank University
	Mercers' Company and Thomas Telford school
	Methodist Church
	Microsoft Ltd.
	Open University
	Peabody Trust
	Prospects College
	David Samworth
	Serco Group plc
	Sheffield LA
	Solihull local authority
	Southend local authority
	Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
	United Learning Trust
	University of Kent
	University of Portsmouth
	University of the West of England
	West Nottinghamshire College
	Youth Sport Trust
	4Learning

University Admissions/Applications

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by her Department since 1990 on future trends in university admissions; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Department and its partners undertake regular analysis to forecast future higher education student numbers and have done so for a number of years. For example, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) produced a report on future supply and demand in higher education in 2001 (2001/62) and subsequent publications by the Higher Education Policy Institute (e.g. Bekhradnia, 2005 Demand for Higher Education to 201516, HEPI) have updated on this analysis since.
	Meanwhile, the Department and its partners continue to monitor actual levels of participation drawing on a number of sources (including UCAS data and Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) records) and have for example, also undertaken research to explore better ways of monitoring participation and conducted evaluation of the impact of policies designed to increase aspiration and attainment to secure future HE participation among under-represented groups (see for example DfES research publication references RR676 and RR649). HEFCE's report on Young Participation in Higher Education (2005/03) which considers the period 19942000 and monitors changes in overall participation rates year on year, is also worthy of highlighting in this context.
	There have of course also been a number of independent reviews which have informed Government policy in this area over the last 15 years. These have variously explored actual patterns and anticipated future demand for HE. Of relevance here for example is the year long National Committee of Inquiry chaired by Sir Ron (now Lord) Dearing which in 1997 published the report Higher Education in the Learning Society. More recently, Professor Steven Schwartz, ex-Vice Chancellor of Brunel university, led an independent review of admissions practices and published a set of recommendations in 2004 for good practice in fair admissions to higher education.
	From academic year 2006/07, no student will have to pay their fees upfront and they will only have to repay what they owe once they are earning 15,000 or more. Students from poorer backgrounds will be entitled to non-repayable maintenance grants and other forms of support, such as bursaries, are available from individual universities via their access agreements. The Department conducted a review of the international evidence to explore the likely implications of these reforms on future HE participation. This review (Variable feesthe international evidence, 2004) showed that higher differential fees can be introduced without adversely affecting the participation of students from less well-off families, particularly when backed up by fee deferral arrangements. Nevertheless, we will be conducting a full evaluation of the impact of the new student support arrangements to inform the independent review due to report to Parliament in 2009.

University Admissions/Applications

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government have taken to encourage pupils from poor backgrounds to apply for university; and what assessment she has made of (a) the effectiveness and (b) the estimated cost of these steps.

Bill Rammell: The Government remains fully committed to widening participation in higher education for reasons of social justice and economic need.
	We have reformed the student finance arrangements so that, in England, from 2006, no full-time student will have to pay fees up-front, nor will they repay anything until they leave higher education (HE) and are earning a reasonable wage. We are introducing a new up-front maintenance grant of up to 2,700 a year, targeted at lower income households, and a bigger maintenance loan to meet average basic living costs. The steady state costs of these arrangements will be 600 million each year for fee loans, 860 million for the new maintenance grant, and 510 million for maintenance loans.
	Alongside our reforms to student finance, we have established the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). To date, OFFA has approved some 180 access agreements from institutions wishing to charge higher level fees from 2006. These will make available over 300 million in financial support to students from low income backgrounds and an additional 35 million in outreach.
	In addition, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has allocated 282 million to higher education institutions in 200506 to help offset the costs associated with recruiting and retaining students from groups under-represented in HE. HEFCE is currently working with the sector to assess the impact of the allocation.
	The Aimhigher programme seeks to raise aspirations and attainment levels among those currently under-represented in HE. Aimhigher is subject to a comprehensive evaluation strategy, organised in partnership with HEFCE and the Learning and Skills Council. It includes surveys of young people, educational providers and Aimhigher partnerships, conducted by independent research organisations. The evaluation seeks to identify what works, and to use this to inform further policy development and delivery. Evidence to date is mainly from the first years of Excellence Challenge, a predecessor programme. It shows that the type of activities now supported by Aimhigher have made an impact on aspirations and attainment. The budget for Aimhigher for the 200506 academic year is 102 million.

University Funding

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been allocated per student to universities in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The unit of funding per full time equivalent higher education student 1 studying at an English institution 2 is shown in the following table.
	1 Planned student numbers used in calculating the unit funding relate to fundable home and EU domiciled students, including both full-time and part-time undergraduates and postgraduates. Figures are based on a snapshot count as at 1 December of the relevant academic year.
	2 Covers both Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Colleges.
	
		Figures in real terms (200405 prices)
		
			 Funding per planned student(167)(5508830168) Amount () 
		
		
			 199798 5,380 
			 199899 5,380 
			 199900 5,400 
			 200001 5,390 
			 200102 5,400 
			 200203 5,400 
			 200304 5,500 
			 200405 5,530 
		
	
	(167) Figures rounded to the nearest 10, using September 2005 GDP deflators.
	(168) Funding covers DfES block grant to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Teacher Training Agency (TTA), and public and private contributions to the cost of tuition. Figures from 19992000 do not include earmarked grants for capital. In addition to the funding included, the HE sector also received funding in support of research via the research councils and funds for measures to widen access.

University Funding

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans her Department has to fund key skills education in universities.

Bill Rammell: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous organisations and are responsible for their own programmes of study and training of lecturers.
	The Government are committed to expanding higher education to deliver the skills and attributes that individuals need to succeed in employment. We are taking steps to encourage the embedding of work-related skills in higher education provision by introducing measures that bring together key stakeholders including the higher education sector, employers, sector skills councils and other professional bodies.

Value for Money

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to improve the (a) value for money and (b) quality of goods and services procured by local education authorities; and what effect these measures have had on the cost of such procurements.

Jacqui Smith: This Government are committed to improving efficiency and value for money in education and have taken a number of steps to achieve this in local authorities, including:
	Provision of training in financial management;
	Identifying best practice in children's services commissioning
	Establishing a number of sourcing groups examining educational use of local authority contracts
	Working with local authority purchasing officers to encourage greater collaboration between local authorities
	Working in partnership with Regional Centres of Excellence on areas of joint interest.
	We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including local authority provision. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Departments Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

Wider Opportunities Pilots

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much additional funding will be made available under the Wider Opportunities pilots in 200607.

Jacqui Smith: The 13 Wider Opportunities pilots have come to an end but have certainly informed our wider policy for instrumental and vocal tuition at KS2. Guidance based on the pilots will be issued to schools at the end of this month to help them make best use of their new music allocation of 26 million.
	During 20062007, schools will receive 3 million to take forward this work. 1 million will be invested in musical instruments and 1 million in workforce development. In addition to their 60 million baseline allocation, music services will receive 1.5 million specifically to expand instrumental provision at KS2.
	During 200708, a further 25 million will be invested23 million for schools, and 2 million for instruments and workforce development.

Young Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance her Department have given to further and higher education establishments on the support they should offer to young carers.

Maria Eagle: Statutory responsibility for supporting young carers who have been assessed as children in need lies with the local authorities concerned, and my Department issued guidance with the Department of Health in August 2005 on the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 and the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004.
	Further education and higher education institutions are self-governing independent bodies. Each institution is responsible for its own arrangements to widen participation and to facilitate their students' access to learning.
	The Department's guidance to administrators of the discretionary Access to Learning Fund covers students with caring responsibilities, although this is chiefly designed with adult carers in mind. Young carers in full time education-that is, with at least 12 guided learning hours per week-may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs). Although in general a weekly allowance payment is only made to a student where they have attended all required sessions, a college has discretion to authorise an absence caused by caring responsibilities. Learning providers should not, however, authorise a student's absences regularly for this reason.
	Where caring responsibilities are frequently interrupting attendance patterns, there is a need for institutions to explore solutions personally with the learner Best practice recommended by DfES Circular 10/99 is to offer a learner with caring responsibilities a named member of staff to contact when they are unable to attend, and examine whether alternative care arrangements can be made. This may entail a learning provider renegotiating a learner's attendance pattern to accommodate their commitments, whilst still meeting the minimum number of hours required under their personal learning agreement.
	Young carers aged over 16 who provide at least 35 hours of care a week may be entitled to Carer's Allowance, where they are undertaking less that 21 hours a week of supervised study, and institutions will need to take this into account when considering appropriate arrangements for enabling young carers to access learning.